By Timothy D. Naegele[1]
Today is the 81st anniversary of D-Day, celebrating the allied landings on the beaches of Normandy, France, which changed the course of history. Last year, I wrote about the need to never forget, and to honor those who served and sacrificed on that fateful day.[2]
Dwight D. Eisenhower, or "Ike," was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe. Facing inclement weather conditions, he made the decision to launch the armada.[3] If the invasion had not taken place, or failed, Adolf Hitler and Germany might have won the war in Europe; and the French and British might be speaking German today.
I have been to Normandy and the cemeteries there; and it is a sacred place and hallowed ground. Yes, D-Day is celebrated every year, but it should be emblazoned in our hearts forever. Enormous sacrifices were made that day; and they are an integral and indelible part of our magnificent nation's history.
After World War II, five-star General Eisenhower became our 34th President, and served eight years in that office. He was succeeded by John F. Kennedy who had been a young naval officer in the Pacific. Eisenhower served with distinction; whereas, Kennedy may have been the most-corrupt and despicable President in American history.[4]
Kennedy's name should be removed from the theater complex on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. and replaced with Eisenhower's name, which presently applies to one of its theaters. Being the "Chair" of the complex, which is deteriorating and requires a massive infusion of money, President Donald Trump can restore long-missing honor to the edifice.[5]
___
© 2025, Timothy D. Naegele
___
[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6 and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/ He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at The Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams. He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com
[2] See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2024/06/06/d-day/ ("D-Day"); see also https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/06/presidential-message-on-the-81st-anniversary-of-d-day-2025/ ("Presidential Message on the 81st Anniversary of D-Day, 2025 – The White House")
[3] See, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwight_D._Eisenhower ("Dwight D. Eisenhower") and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Overlord ("Operation Overlord")
[4] See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/20/ronald-reagan-and-john-f-kennedy-a-question-of-character/ ("Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy: A Question of Character") and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/john-f-kennedy-the-most-despicable-president-in-american-history/ ("John F. Kennedy: The Most Despicable President In American History")
[5] See, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts ("John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts")
