Dear Editor,

Seventy years ago today on June 6, 1944, the greatest amphibious invasion was undertaken on the shores of France. American, British, Canadian and other Allied forces took the beach head to liberate Europe from Nazism.

Over 16 Million Americans served in World War II. It is estimated that about 1 million of them are still living and that 550 leave us each day for their final “roll call.”

We are privileged to thank a little over 80 veterans in Kosciusko County who served from 1941 to 1945. We honor their service and remember the sacrifice of blood, sweat and tears of this “Greatest Generation.” There 420,000 Americans killed during the war. Others came home bearing the scars of battle both physically and emotionally.

We can never repay the sacrifice of these men and women but we honor them by saying, “thanks.” From the Atlantic to the Pacific they put their lives on the line while at home Americans sacrificed for the cause of Democracy knowing that “Freedom Isn’t Free.”

The other reality is that America trusted God to overcome evil. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led a prayer that day with these words, “And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose. With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil. Thy will be done, Almighty God. Amen.”

To all of our Veterans we say “thanks.” We pray for our current Armed Forces who continue to fight tyranny around the world.  “In God We Trust.”

Ken Locke
Greater Warsaw Ministerial Association