For those who know its solemn significance, it’s shocking to realize we’ve already reached the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Sadly, many Americans today are completely ignorant of the hours that turned the tide of history — and humanity — to the better.
It’s a day that has always held special meaning for me.
My father was a World War II veteran, and I worked in the Reagan White House for the president who went to Normandy to deliver the famous “Boys of Pointe du Hoc” speech.
Later, I served as director of communications for former senator and WWII hero Bob Dole when he was co-chairman of the effort to build the national World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.
Within Dole’s office was a replica of the handwritten note Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had drafted in case the invasion failed: “The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do,” he wrote.
“If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.”
Such accountability and grace.
The bravery and sacrifice of what has come to be known as “The Greatest Generation” seems to be fading away with them.
As it does, partisan and poisonous politics seem to divide us further with each passing day.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The lessons of D-Day will always unite those with open minds and open hearts.
I know because I experienced it firsthand.
As Sen. Dole, along with his co-chairman Fred Smith, tried to raise private funds to build the World War II Memorial, he tried to pitch Hollywood executives whose studios had collectively made over $1 billion from World War II films.
The conversation usually went like this:
Dole: “We’re trying to build a memorial for our World War II vets using private funds.
Sadly, we are losing over one thousand WWII vets per day, so any help would be greatly appreciated.”
Hollywood exec: “Gee, that sounds nice but it doesn’t fit into our business plans so we will have to decline.”
Dole: “Really? The war didn’t fit into my business plans, or the business plans of the 400,000 Americans killed while defending our way of life — including your ability to make movies and huge profits. Have a nice day.”
After a number of those refusals, Dole understandably soured on Hollywood.
But in 2000, when we needed money to stage the groundbreaking for the memorial, we gave it one more try.
At the time, Steven Spielberg had just directed the massive hit “Saving Private Ryan,” an Academy Award winner that masterfully folded in the bravery, sacrifice and horror of D-Day.
I thought if anyone might have an interest, it would be him.
I reached out to Andy Spahn, Spielberg’s political director, and went into my spiel about how we desperately needed to raise money for the groundbreaking on Nov. 11, Veterans Day.
When I finally took a breath, Spahn simply said, “Hold on.”
Less than a minute later, he added Spielberg to the call.
After adjusting to the shock, I went into my pitch again: “Mr. Spielberg, if we could just get one-fourth or one-eighth of the amount needed. . . .”
This time, Spielberg stopped me. “Doug, wait. How much is it?”
“How much is one-fourth or one-eighth?”
“No,” he answered with a kind laugh. “How much is the total amount needed for the groundbreaking?”
“Six hundred and fifteen thousand dollars.”
“No problem,” Spielberg said.
“We will FedEx you the check tomorrow.”
And he did.
Spielberg is a humble and private man, but his generosity and support of the WWII Memorial should be known.
Following that graciousness, Tom Hanks, the star of “Saving Private Ryan,” volunteered to become the spokesperson for the memorial.
To be sure, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks did not always politically see eye-to-eye with Sen. Dole or myself.
Yet we all felt deeply that the character, bravery and sacrifice of the “Boys of Pointe du Hoc” united us as Americans.
As we pause to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, that is the lesson I will always remember.
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of “The 56 – Liberty Lessons From Those Who Risked All to Sign The Declaration of Independence.”