D-Day's 75th Anniversary Renews Interest in Some Classrooms

It's always healthy to have an international perspective on history, even on something as sacred to us as D-Day. I think we should teach as much in the classroom and I know this is crazy, but maybe invite a veteran into the classroom to represent the military for a brief 5 minute lesson on the importance of June 6, 1944.

Consider this lesson plan:

This is off the cuff, but here's my bright idea. Invite a veteran if possible, if not, call a recruiter or someone linked to military history; someone who will be professional and compassionate about the topic.

They cover 3 main points in 5 minutes:
1. Protecting America
2. Protecting our Allies
3. Assaulting Forward

The presenter doesn't need a powerpoint, they could do with a chalkboard or just a loud voice and three fingers. These points can launch into different ideas, but the gist is these sub-points:

1a. Protecting our freedoms and way of life --> political, economical, social, religious.
1b. Protecting our physical safety

2a. Keeping diplomatic integrity and loyalty
2b. A General sense to protect all men and women from injustice and harm.

3a. The U.S doesn't back down from a fight. Summon the proverbial spirit of Patton and share some of his speech to the Third Army before D-Day. "Americans traditionally love to fight."
3b. Historical legacy of assaulting forward traces back to the founding of our country.

And in 5 minutes students will have tasted ethics, politics, and military culture. Then the teacher can discuss how not all countries view D-Day the same, like mentioned in the Article. The final note to be stressed is that its important as American citizens to understand the cost of lives that have led to the modern world; lives of men, women, and children from all nations. All the other details of WWII should be filled in by the teacher.