Tuesday, June 06, 2006

Not a Word

This morning the radio had repeated "news" stories about the fact that today is 6/6/06 and wondering if today would mark the arrival of the Anti-Christ and the beginning of the end of the world. The fact that a movie opens today on this topic is completely coincidental I'm sure. The throwaway newspaper had similar articles, and neither had anything about the more significant meaning of this date. In fact no one but a couple bloggers even noted the date.

Do you know what I'm talking about?

Folks, today is June 6. Does that date ring a bell? If not, let's try a little harder. June 6, 1944. Omaha. Utah. Sword. Night of Nights. Normandy.

If you don't get it turn on your TV and DVD right now and watch Band of Brothers in its entirety, from start to finish, including the bonus material, without a bathroom break. No fair fast-forwarding either. When that's done watch Saving Private Ryan.

Sixty-two years ago marked the beginning of the end, not of the world, but of World War II. Once the Allies had a foothold in France the war was lost by Germany, it was only a matter of time.

I've said it before on these pages, the Greatest Generation is dying off rapidly, the men who served in World War II are now in their eighties. If you know any talk to them, get their stories now before it's too late. And thank them.