It’s What’s Inside that Counts

Today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

As I watch the news reports of the commemorations taking place in France this week—and listen to the stories of those who fought and survived that horrific day (and the days that followed)—my first thought is that inside those now 90+-year-old, frail bodies still live some of the bravest souls to ever walk the face of this earth.

Men and women who literally stared death in the face. Who kept moving forward against all odds, even as their brothers-in-arms fell around them. Who witnessed the unthinkable—and the unforgettable. Who dedicated themselves—at the still tender ages of 19, 20, and 21—to nothing less than saving the world from authoritarianism and hate.

As much of society continues to view our oldest adults as frail, weak, slow-moving, and infirm—and wonders “What are we supposed to do with them?”—I look at them and think, “What would we ever have done without them?”

And my thinking is not limited to these World War II veterans, only 1% of whom (approximately 119,500 of the 16.4 million Americans who served during that time) are estimated to remain alive today. It applies to every older adult I see.

They were—and are—our parents and grandparents. Our teachers. Our role models. Our inspirations.

OUR HEROES. Then. And now.

As children we were taught, “You can’t tell a book by its cover.” Such is the case with older adults.

In fact, I would argue, that is when this lesson is MOST true.

So as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day, let us not forget who helped get us to where we are today. Let us not ask, “What should we do with them?” and reflect instead on “What would we ever have done without them?”

And let us remind ourselves as we look forward (both literally and figuratively) to our older age that the cover doesn’t make the book.

It’s what’s inside that counts.