D-Day Message
In the spring of 1944 Barbara Sanz started writing to Lester McClannen, a good friend of her brother. At that time she was a divorced mother of two, and he was an Army cryptographer stationed in England. On June 6th
Barbara learned of the D-Day invasion and heard the president’s radio address that night. She was profoundly moved by this news and wrote an emotional letter to Lester:
Now I understand why I have not heard from you. The “Day” has come. I can’t explain the feeling I had when I first heard of the Invasion. I heard it when I walked in the (beauty) shop this morning, I was stunned. We all knew it was coming and were happy that it is started, so it can all end soon. When it actually happens it’s a shock. It was such a gloomy day, rained all day. That didn’t help much. We had the radio going all day.
The President gave a prayer tonite that the nation was to join. Believe me, when I say I put my whole heart and soul in that prayer and will continue to pray knowing that you and the other boys have help and come out on top.450
I believe that Barbara Sanz’s response to the president’s prayer was representative of the vast majority of Americans on that fateful day in 1944. It was natural to hear a call to God in a time of such crisis, and it was natural to respond. I believe that God heard and answered those prayers. If America were called to prayer in that manner today, I believe that millions would respond in the same way. We can only pray that God will continue to hear our prayers and that our nation will continue to be worthy of his blessing.
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
—Psalms 5:11–12