Maybe One Day

Bonus Chapter: 75 Years

After all the injuries I had sustained, after fighting in what became known as the second world war, and serving in Korea as a surgeon in a MASH unit I didn't think that I'd make it past 75. 75 was my life expectancy. I had my loving children who took great care of Lew and I when we need it, but we still were quite self-sufficient. Well, as dependent on ourselves as we could be at this age. There were the aches and pains, the trips to doctors offices for check ups because we couldn't drive anymore, and doing a chunk of the yard work. My brothers had died years previous, unfortunately. That I was heartbroken about, but I knew in my heart that because of my hard work and how I raised them, they grew up to be good young men and amazing fathers. They knew what it felt like to not have one, and were always there for their children and grandchildren. 

Lewis sat next to me, hand resting on my leg and looking out the window of the car that was bringing us to a place we hadn't visited in many years. Our hearts still ached, mine especially, for the countless men we lost 75 years ago on June 6th, 1944. 

"Are you alright, mama?" asked Dawn, looking in the rear view mirror of the car. 

"Just thinking, Dawn. Just thinking." I smiled softly and held Lew's hand now. 

He squeezed it lightly and got up carefully to help me out of the car when we came to a stop. 

"They called last night and said that you have special seats up front. Do you have your speech ready?" asked Warren, holding my arm carefully and leading me towards the chair set up. 

"Right here." I patted my breast pocket. 

After so many years, my uniform still fit me and I wore all the medals I had earned with pride. After all, I did earn them, and supposedly paved the way for many other women in the armed forces. Before taking my seat I received many handshakes and greetings. It was all a little overwhelming, to be honest. I was here among world leaders. Our president, France's president, and other diplomats and dignitaries. I looked out over the cemetery for a second and sighed. So many lives lost. I hope they know that they will never be forgotten. 

"President Macron, Mrs. Macron, and the people of France; to the First Lady of the United States and members of the United States Congress; to distinguished guests, veterans, and my fellow Americans. We are gathered here on Freedom's Altar. On these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, 10,000 men shed their blood, and thousands sacrificed their lives, for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty. Today, we remember those who fell, and we honor all who fought right here in Normandy. They won back this ground for civilization." remarked Donald Trump. 

I nodded along to what he was saying, remembering the night I showed Winters and Lew all the pictures my mother had taken of us back home. It made my heart ache for those times. 

"To more than 170 veterans of the Second World War who join us today: You are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live. For Megan Nixon, you enlisted in the US Army despite many people saying you'd be no good. And you saved hundreds of lives not just on D-Day. You all are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

I will never not think that I could have saved more. Those thoughts were always in my head, but I tried never to dwell on them. They were dangerous. 

"Here with you are over 60 veterans who landed on D-Day. Our debt to you is everlasting. Today, we express our undying gratitude. When you were young, these people enlisted their lives in a Great Crusade — one of the greatest of all times. Their mission is the story of an epic battle and the ferocious, eternal struggle between good and evil. On the 6th of June, 1944, they joined a liberation force of awesome power and breathtaking scale. After months of planning, the Allies had chosen this ancient coastline to mount their campaign to vanquish the wicked tyranny of the Nazi empire from the face of the Earth. The battle began in the skies above us. In those first tense midnight hours, 1,000 aircraft roared overhead with 17,000 Allied airborne troops preparing to leap into the darkness beyond these trees. Then came dawn. The enemy who had occupied these heights saw the largest naval armada in the history of the world. Just a few miles offshore were 7,000 vessels bearing 130,000 warriors. They were the citizens of free and independent nations, united by their duty to their compatriots and to millions yet unborn."