Reclaiming American Patriotism in Normandy

This past summer I spent a few days in Normandy, including a day tour to the D-Day beaches of Omaha and Utah. The beaches, along with towns like Bayeux, Colleville-sur-Mer and Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, show loyalty and pride in their province’s important role during World War II. 

Even though there was a summer chill and overcast sky the morning of the D-Day tour, I was looking forward to visiting the beaches, the American Cemetery, and gaining a better understanding of the events that took place back in June 1944. While at the American Cemetery, walking among the rows of crosses had me reflecting on the simultaneous feelings of courage and fear those young soldiers must have felt while the events unfolded on that June day. I also couldn’t help but compare their levels of courage to the younger generation of high schoolers that I teach. Many of them have a long way to go in the “courage” category, given the coddling that runs rampant nowadays from both parents and schools. 

Another memorable spot at the American Cemetery was the circular chapel that stands at the opposite end of the cemetery’s entrance. In the chapel French, American, British and Canadian flags are situated alongside a commemorative marble table with a cross directly above it. The domed ceiling, though, is what left me in awe: a vibrant mosaic by American artist Leon Kroll depicting the Goddess of Liberty (for America) with her son before he departs for war. Directly opposite is a symbolic Marianne (for France) who is placing a laurel wreath atop the young man’s lifeless head resting on her lap. According to Kroll, both of these figures, along with the battleships and angel in the mosaic, have come to represent the conflicting aspects of “war and peace”.  

I also couldn’t help but compare their levels of courage to the younger generation of high schoolers that I teach.

On the bus driving between the tour sights and towns, numerous houses displayed their patriotism with French, American, British and Canadian flags. In the towns of Bayeux and Sainte-Marie-du-Mont streets were also adorned with smaller flags of various countries. Visitors can feel the “international brotherhood” vibe in these towns while window-shopping or lunching. As an American, seeing this level of patriotism and loyalty that France has towards its international allies was heart-warming. It made me a bit wistful that younger generations of Americans can one day develop a similar appreciation for the United States. 

While Normandy enthusiastically flaunts its French patriotism, Americans sometimes have a tendency to keep their patriotism under the radar. Americans possess it, but sometimes our patriotic enthusiasm falls along particular political party lines (or perhaps we’re more forthcoming about it in random surveys). According to a June 2024 Gallup poll a surprising combined 67% of Americans either felt “extremely or very proud” to be an American. However, when divvying up patriotism among political parties, the “extremely proud” Americans are about 59% Republicans, 34% Democrats and 36% Independents. The “patriotism divides” also reveal themselves among different generations. 

While Normandy enthusiastically flaunts its French patriotism, Americans sometimes have a tendency to keep their patriotism under the radar.

While Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and older Millennials have favorable attitudes toward our country, Generation Z expresses some displeasure with America. In a June 2024 article in the Los Angeles Loyolan student newspaper, the writer described her feelings of disconnect to the United States (and patriotism) because some in Generation Z feel unheard about issues that matter to them. Yet this is a generation that has no qualms when it comes to excessively posting about themselves (and opinions) on TikTok, Instagram or Snapchat accounts. This is a generation that has become accustomed to measuring its self-worth by how many “Likes” it receives on their posts.

I can only hope that with Generation Z they become more open to reading and understanding different sources of information when it comes to issues in our country. By limiting one’s information to sources that only re-affirm one’s own bias, they aren’t going to learn much about themselves, others or the United States. 

In Oliver Wendell Holmes’ 1862 poem “The Voyage of the Good Ship Union” the closing line is “One land, one heart, one hand, one nation, evermore!” A fitting addition to this line could also be “one flag” because even though our levels of American patriotism vary, the American flag remains a consistent symbol of our country. And no matter what our political or generational differences may be, it’s a symbol that should unite us all as Americans.

Photography credits for “Reclaiming American Patriotism in Normandy” by Rebecce Biage.