Editorial: Invasion
At last, the supreme moment has come. The months and years of waiting are over. Troops of the United States, the British Isles, the Dominions, contingents from occupied but unconquered countries in Europe are at this moment setting foot on the continental soil. The men who left Dunkerque nearly four years ago are returning. They left as a handful of shattered divisions, armed only with the splendor of an undying courage. They return as part of a great force supplied with every known means of beating down the enemy’s resistance.
They are commanded by generals of proven worth, in whom there is universal confidence throughout the United Nations. The preparations have been thorough. Nazi resistance has been weakened by air attacks of unprecedented destructiveness. In equipment, in training, in courage and resolution, these men are doubtless the equals of any soldiers who ever marched.
They are meeting and will meet terrible obstacles. The Nazis have had four years to prepare, and no doubt they are ready. They have had ample warning that the invasion was coming, though they did not know the time or the places. They will fight hard, for when they are beaten now, they are beaten forever.
The next few hours and days will be critical in our history, and in all human history. We must wait in patience for news that may be slow in coming. We must be prepared for losses and for reverses at some points. The shape of the battle of Europe may be slow in emerging.
Today we can only pray, in our churches with other petitioners of the Almighty or alone and in our hearts.
We cannot pray that one we love be spared if a stranger must fall in his place. But we can call upon the God of mercy and justice to strengthen each soldier in his hour of trial; to give victory with the least cost in life, in suffering and in sorrow; to grant each soldier faith in his cause and full knowledge that our love and our hope go with him.
We may pray, too, that we ourselves may be given the fortitude that these young men possess; that we may have strength to face the dreadful waiting; that we may have courage to bear the sorrow that must be the lot of so many.
We may humbly pray for untiring bodies and hearts to support all the soldiers of the United Nations who battle for victory and for the liberation of those who are in slavery.
Finally, we may pray for the knowledge and skill to create out of this slaughter a just and lasting peace.
These are our sons. God bless them.