D-DAY

[frisco-kid]

As most of you know, or SHOULD know, 6JUN04 is the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. As you might imagine, there are many programs, festivities, re-enactments, speeches, religious services, etc. to honor all of the Allied troops that gave their lives by the 1000s to free Europe from the grip of Nazi Germany. I read somewhere today that Jacques Chirac, the President of France, has taken it upon himself to invite Gerhard Schroeder, the Chancellor [?] of Germany, to the ceremonies. Schroeder has accepted.

How do you feel about this? I wish we had some WWII Vets here to comment on this. When you think about it, it should ultimately be their call. After all, it's honoring all of THEM.

MY TAKE ON THIS:

1. I think the whole thing reeks of POLITICS. It's no secret that Chirac and Schroeder are good buds, and that this is just some sort of Ultimate Kodak Moment for the two of them to confirm to their respective citizenry the solidarity that exists between the two countries.

2. I don't think it was Chirac's place to make such a decision without consulting, and polling, the countries who's men actually died while making the invasion to come and RESCUE France.

3. D-Day has nothing to do with modern Germany. Todays Germans can't be held accountable, or blamed for the sins of their fathers/grandfathers. This is a celebration honoring the men who fought to liberate Europe, not the ones that fought against it's liberation. Is Schroeder going to be there to honor the men that died making the invasion, or the men that died trying to quell it? I don't know why he would even want to place himself in such an awkward position.

So, what do you think?