It was such a moving ceremony held in France for the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landing by Allied forces.  So many thoughts crossed my mind as I watched the event on television.

The long friendship between America and France came to mind.  Not that our two nations have not had our occasional differences, but our Revolutionary War with the British would never have been won without the help of the French.

When Jane & I watched the Statue of Liberty from a New  York tourist boat a few years ago, that was a gift to America from the people of France.  It was a special moment thinking about the many immigrants, including many of my own ancestors, gazing upon the Statue of Liberty as they first entered America decades aga.

I was also reminded how opposed Winston Churchill was to the D-Day invasion.  He realized the risks and the catastrophic consequences of an unsuccessful operation.  Dwight Eisenhower even drafted a statement in case D-Day failed, putting all the blame on himself.

Those servicemen knew the risks and knew the very good possibility they would not survive the storming of Omaha Beach and other places along the French coast, but they knew the stakes for the future of the world.  They were willing to make that sacrifice.

Each year we lose more World War II vets and lose the memories only they can share.  I would sincerely hope we never forget what Americans in the military services have sacrificed.

I appreciate how the City of Fishers, Mayor Scott Fadness and the Fishers Armed Services Commission have done such good work remembering our military veterans and supporting their families. It is one reason Fishers is a special place.