D-Day. Eighty Years Ago.

D-Day. Eighty years ago today. I woke up this morning thinking about the bravery of General Eisenhower. The forging ahead without certainty. The risk. The reward. The potential devastating loss. Lives he knew would be lost because of his decision. How he had no surety around the outcome.

The night before, June 5th, Eisenhower penned a letter in case it all failed.

"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone. July 5.“

He got the date wrong. He must have been terrified and feeling very alone.

“If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”

I think about the weight of the world on his shoulders that night. I recognize that many have responsibility larger than mine, or yours in this world, and that eighty years ago, on this very day, one man stood and accepted the responsibility.

I can’t wrap my arms around the more than 100,000 humans who set out not knowing whether they would see the sun set. So, I think of one man.

And, I thank him for his courage and service.