IT’S TODAY: It was 63 years ago today that the Allies invaded
Europe during World War II. You may know it as D-Day, or the
Normandy Invasion.

Those of us born after June 6, 1944, can only imagine the
anxiety the country felt upon learning of this daring and
frightening assault – not to mention the thoughts on the minds of
the soldiers embarking on such a daunting endeavor.

FDR gave a speech to the nation – mostly a prayer, actually –
and radio station WESB plans to air it twice today, at 12:30 p.m.
and 6:18 p.m. We encourage our readers to tune in.

For those of you who cannot, we excerpt from Roosevelt’s prayer
for the nation delivered, of course, at a time of great
uncertainty:

“Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set
upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our
religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering
humanity,” he said.

“Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms,
stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.

“They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard.
For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may
not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again;
and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our
cause, our sons will triumph.

“They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest –
until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and
flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.

“For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They
fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest.
They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and
tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the
end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.

“Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive
them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.

“And for us at home – fathers, mothers, children, wives,
sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and
prayers are ever with them – help us, Almighty God, to rededicate
ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
…”