text: In commemorating this longest day of war on June 6, 1944, we observed a day full of gratitude to those who sacrificed and those who bear witness today to say thank you.  By all historical accounts this was the day that saved the world from tyranny.  It was an overwhelming honor to meet with many veterans, including my friend Jack Port recently featured as one of San Diego's attending heroes.  What was so impressive in meeting these veterans as they have reached or are approaching their nineties, is to acknowledge that many were not even in their twenties on that epoch day.  I will never forget how much I learned and the emotions I felt.  I wish I could have shared it with my Dad who served as a medic throughout the war but like so many of his compatriots moved on with his life and did not speak about his experience.  During his remarks, President Hollande of France quoted President Eisenhower: Americans were not sure what they were fighting for in Europe, but in liberating the concentration camps they knew what they were fighting against.