I was introduced for a keynote this past week as being “fearless”. I chuckled a bit hearing the word, for I am anything but fearless. In fact, I am terrified often! I just keep finding the will to move forward in spite of the fear. If one is truly fearless, there is no need for courage. I don’t think I even want to be fearless. Fear is simply a gauge inside of us, warning us of pending danger. I think I would prefer to have my gauges working and warning!
Today I am remembering; it is Remembrance Day. I am also pondering what great courage it would have taken to step out of the boat onto the beaches of Normandy. Facing the enemy on D-Day, FEAR-lessness would have been FOOL-ishness – but the absence of courage would have led to paralysis.
On Tuesday, June 6, 1944, Stanley Herbert Cole, a soldier with the Regina Rifle Regiment in the Canadian Army, and the great-uncle to my son-in-law, stepped out of the boat in defense of our freedom. At 22 years of age, I am certain that he knew fear. However, he also knew courage for he was not held in a state of paralysis, for he did not die in the boat. His body was found later on the shore.
Take a moment today to honor the courage of those who gave their lives for our freedom, and be inspired by the same.
