U.S. Army soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) salute the flag during a ceremony at the Currahee Memorial site in Normandy, France, on June 3, 2015. Over 380 service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units are participating in 71st anniversary ceremonies.

On June 6, 1944, Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe and the world from tyranny and evil. What these valiant men accomplished in the momentous hours, days, weeks and months ahead is the reason we have the privilege of being free.

On June 6, 1984, President Ronald Reagan delivered what I consider to be one of the greatest speeches ever given by an American president. Standing on the cliffs above the beaches of Normandy, where so many fought and died, the nation’s 40th commander-in-chief thanked the veterans of D-Day, along with their fallen brothers in arms.

Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened: “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”

Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their valor and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.

Above, we see a group of U.S. Army soldiers paying tribute to those who came before them. Indeed, these young patriots and thousands more like them have shown, by volunteering to serve during dangerous times, that they understand what the warriors of D-Day fought and died for.

Thank you to all of America’s fallen heroes, veterans, service members and their families. As President Reagan also said 31 years ago today: “We will always remember. We will always be proud. We will always be prepared, so we may always be free.”

Tom Sileo is a Senior Editor of The Stream. He is co-author of Brothers Forever: The Enduring Bond between a Marine and a Navy SEAL that Transcended their Ultimate Sacrifice.