D Day, June 6

On this day in 1944, the most horrendous
atrocity in military history took place as
Allied troops invaded Normandy. I
want to know about the sons and
daughters and wives of those poor
thousands and thousands of Americans
who were riddled with bullets in only
moments after hitting the beach. Do they
really believe their men died with merit?
Heroically, no doubt, but meritoriously?
Hard to see how anyone could believe
instantaneous slaughter, no chance even
to take two steps to save you life, no way
of turning back, too late for second
thoughts, could ever have been worth it.
They just stepped off their boats and
died. True enough, our troops did
eventually secure the beach and we
did go on to win the war, but what is
victory that comes at such grave and
senseless a cost? No victory at all, I say,
not for decency, not for humanity,
not for brotherly love. We were the winners
is the most we're sure of; we're not proud or
righteous. We're left with bloody hands
and half our hearts.

(2007)