June 6 – A Day to Remember
D-Day. The Invasion of Normandy. Operation Overlord.
It has many names, but regardless of what you call it, the June 6, 1944, Allied invasion of Normandy was the largest amphibious military operation in history. It was also the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. Within 3 months of the attack, Paris would be liberated. By May 1945, Hitler would be dead and Germany defeated.
The Longest Day
As a young boy, I remember my grandfather taking me to see “The 
Longest Day,” the Academy award-winning, D-Day movie based on Cornelius Ryan's book by the same name. My grandfather had given me the book, telling me to read it before seeing the movie - which I did.
The nearly three-hour 1962 epic, featuring Hollywood greats John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, Henry Fonda, and Richard Burton, among nearly 3 dozen others, made a lasting impact on me.
A few years earlier, as a bright-eyed, curious seven-year-old, another event had impressed me even more. I had visited France and seen firsthand the Normandy beaches where Allied troops stormed ashore, the Germans fighting desperately to stop them.
From the ominous-looking bunkers and tank obstacles on Omaha Beach, to the terrifying cliffs and gun emplacements of Pointe du Hoc, my imagination went wild. My fascination with history, and the dramatic stories of the individual men and women who were part of it, had begun.
Today, over 45 years later, as I remember the historic operation that took place on June 6, 1944, I also pay tribute to South Koreans who died fighting for their country during the Korean War.
June 6 in Korea
It’s Memorial Day here in the ROK.
For the past two years on June 6, I’ve visited South Korea’s National Cemetery in Seoul and have observed a 10 a.m., nationwide minute of silence in honor of those who gave their lives for freedom.
Roaming the vast memorial park, I’ve also watched Koreans spend time at the graves of their deceased family members, sharing stories, eating homemade food, and drinking maekoli, a traditional rice-based alcoholic beverage.
In what can best be described as a respectful picnic lunch, tens-of-thousands of people gather together to honor those who died. It’s an amazing sight, unlike anything I’ve ever seen at a cemetery.
But it’s wonderful. And a uniquely Korean experience.
On this day then, regardless of where we are, June 6 is a day to remember.
Carpe Diem.
