My grandfather landed with the American troops on June 10th on Utah Beach, which eventually led him to Paris and my grandmother and the start of my family's history.
Raul Enriquez, my grandpa
Jeannette Saiz, my grandma
Yesterday, Nanny (my grandmother) and I were talking about D-Day. I asked her what she remembered about this day. She said she was listening to the radio with her family. They listened with anticipation wondering if the US troops would be able break German lines. She said the arrival of the US brought so much excitement. After years of being occupied by the Germans, they were finally being kicked out of France.
I mentioned that it was a life changing day. She agreed with me, explaining that no one knew if England would have been able to hold the Germans off if the US had not entered into the war.
Reflecting on the impact of this historical day, to me it was life changing in more personal ways. It brought my grandparents together. How else would a modest 19 year old Mexican-American man from Chandler, Arizona have made it to Paris, France to meet and fall in love with my grandmother? By no means am I condoning the war, but I'm full of gratitude and pride with the US's involvement in WWII and with my grandpa for enlisting.
My grandparents wedding
I love my family's history. I named my daughter after my grandma, not only to honor the exceptional woman that she is, but as a way to remember and carry on my family's history. In her name is the love my grandparents found in the midst of a horrible war. It's the bravery my grandfather showed in enlisting and fighting for the end of tyranny and the bravery my grandmother showed in leaving her home to follow her new husband to start a life of their own. Her name represents the strong bond that united them all those years ago and that unites them still to this day. And, it all began with D-Day, so happy D-Day everyone!
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