D-DAY REMEMBERED. BEING A REAL MAN MEANS MORE THAN MUSCLES

June 6. D-Day. Another momentous day that will live in infamy in America’s history. And thank goodness it does. Without D-Day the entire planet might be living a very different reality. While we’re bombarded right now with what it’s supposed to be like if you’re a real man, we should contemplate how the ‘greatest generation’ handled themselves when they had to confront real danger. And real possibility of death. They simply did what they had to do. And when they came back home they didn’t boast about it. They didn’t chest-thump. They were quiet. And always discounted any efforts to make their actions seem anything other than what any normal soldier would do. The culture of the day required them to man-up. To suffer their trauma behind closed doors. And most families of the day had little idea of how they undoubtably suffered. But we know they did. And that is its own sadness. So today I think of my husband’s uncle. At 19 he hit the beaches in Normandy. Born in Mexico. Raised in Iowa. Returned to America covered in medals. Medals he didn’t talk about. Experiences he didn’t talk about. He did what any soldier would do in his place. He came back and raised a generation of citizens who were an asset to the communities they lived in. He made his country proud. And our people safer. So while we contemplate today’s version of manliness being foisted on us by various arrested-development factions, whose most dangerous actions consist of trying to convince women they’re not a-holes, remember what real men do. They don’t bully. They don’t slander. They don’t emulate Marvel villains. They don’t talk trash and call it being a man. They still believe in quiet dignity. And respect for others. Real men mow neighbor’s lawns when they can’t. They care about their community. They stand as examples for children to follow. They do what’s morally right. They lead with their actions. And try to make the world around them better. So when did America start to believe otherwise? And why? Should our leadership now consist of people we wouldn’t want to date? Or marry? Or allow around our children? Or wouldn’t invite to dinner? Want as a neighbor? Where all the worst tendencies of human nature are now to be admired? And elected to lead the country? Elections absolutely have consequences. And destroying all aspects of human decency and any moral code seems to be a definite consequence. It shouldn’t be an old-fashioned concept to be a decent person. Just think about your ancestors who proved that. What would they think of the vision of manhood in today’s America? We need to do better. And demand better.