Opinion: Remembering the fallen heroes of Normandy’s sacred bluffs as reflected on by Elder Thomas Many Feathers
Honoring the Fallen Heroes of Normandy Across Sacred Ground
Today, people around the world remember the fallen heroes of Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day. We listen closely to these memories here in the windy hills of the High Plains. Our Lakota people know the cost of war intimately. Many of our young men answered the call during the Second World War. They crossed wide oceans to face terrible gunfire on distant shores. Therefore, our hearts beat in rhythm with every family that mourns a lost warrior today.
Our traditional teachings remind us that all ground remains sacred under the open sky. Unci Maka, our Grandmother Earth, cradles every person who falls in battle. Consequently, the bluffs of France hold holy ground just like the river valleys of the Great Plains. When young people offer their physical lives for their relatives, the earth receives their spirits with gentleness. We recognize that profound offering across every nation and culture.
The True Duty of an Akicita
In our traditional way of life, we call a true warrior an akicita. However, an akicita never seeks out bloodshed or self-glory. Instead, an honorable protector defends the vulnerable, the elders, and the sacred generations to come. The allied soldiers faced brutal storms on those French beaches to break tyranny. Furthermore, our Native Code Talkers and scouts gave their very breath in that same struggle. Their brave spirits demonstrated the highest standard of collective care.
Meanwhile, true honor demands that we carry their sacrifices forward through peaceful action. Modern nations too often glorify the weapons of conflict while forgetting the bitter grief of the land. War tears deep scars into the soil and poisons the sacred waters. Therefore, we dishonor our protectors when we allow hatred or destruction to take root again. We must actively protect life rather than cultivate new battlefields.
Carrying the Spirit of the Fallen Heroes of Normandy
Ultimately, remembrance requires more than solemn speeches and polished brass monuments. We honor the fallen heroes of Normandy best when we build a world worthy of their sacrifice. For instance, our communities must protect clean drinking water for the next seven generations. In addition, we must uphold sovereign dignity and live in harmony with the natural world. Healing our wounded earth remains our greatest shared responsibility.
As the evening sun sinks below the prairie ridge, we send our prayers into the sacred winds. We send deep gratitude to every soul resting beneath the green turf of Normandy. Likewise, we pray for strength so our living relatives choose peace and mutual respect. May the creator bring lasting comfort to every grieving relative across the land. Mitakuye Oyasin: we stand related to all things.
Read the original news coverage on NPR News.
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