Neither do their parents or grandparents.
This is exceptional: it is the exception to the rule of human history.
And it is not a coincidence.
War should not be celebrated. But it’s interesting to note that there are no mass cemeteries of Frenchmen or British or Germans in America. And yet the European countryside is full of American graves. Young men, practically boys, who confronted evil in their time and said “not on my watch.”
Even if that meant charging into machine gun fire on a beach to liberate people they would never meet on a continent they had never seen. That’s the national attitude that has defined us for generations.
If America is exceptional, it is exceptional because it is virtuous.
On this day, 79 years ago:
“You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The Allies have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory. Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
-General Dwight Eisenhower
D-Day, 6/6/1944