My father, a World War II veteran, never allowed me to engage him in a conversation about the war.  It was an experience that he kept to himself.  I did learn from his brother that after the initial assault, his infantry division landed at Normandy and that his division saw combat - action in France and Belgium.  

His silence may be the reason why I have seen nearly every WWII film, have read many of the books, and why a visit to Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery have long been on my "bucket-list."  A couple of weeks ago, on July 5, Martha and I were able to make that dream a reality.  Even though I had long imagined such a visit, I was emotionally unprepared for the impact of actually taking the sand from Omaha Beach in my hands and later, taking that long, silent walk among the fallen - 8,387 men (and one woman) - who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Moments such as these invite an inner conversation about core beliefs.  What are the values that I cherish, that are so compelling they transcend my life?  What do I value that would cause me to make a similar sacrifice?  

On the other hand, if my life is more important than my values, have I betrayed the silent witnesses at Normandy?  

I am still working through the emotional overload of the visit... and realizing that there comes a time when we are asked not what our country can do for us, but asked what we are willing to give back. 

Pastor Tim