June 6th marks a significant date in the history of our country. On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces launched the greatest combination of air, land, and sea power in the Invasion of Normandy. Today, 76 years later, our country is in the midst of great uncertainty, turmoil, and unrest. In this season, may we never forget those brave men and women who fought to protect our great freedoms. May we continue to stand today with those who continue to fight for freedom and equality for all, and may we never forget the words spoken by Robert F. Kennedy on June 6, 1966 – 22 years to the day following the invasion of Normandy, which ring so true today:

Let no one be discouraged by… “the belief there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills – against misery, against ignorance, or injustice and violence. Few will have the greatness to bend history; but each of us can work to change a small portion of the events, and in the total of all these acts will be written the history of this generation… It is from the numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man (or woman) stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

Here is the full speech from the JFK Library

Those of us who strive to be “peacemakers” in our world will do well to remember the courageous acts of the countless men and women who fought so hard for equality for all. Walking in their shadows, may we ask ourselves each day ‘how can I to send forth a tiny ripple of hope to someone today?’ I may never be able to change the world; but I can change the world for one.