This D-Day, we will wake up in an America that has cities burning, set aflame by our own citizens. As our country recalls the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, many landmarks commemorating our nation’s past have been disgracefully defaced, including the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

D-Day on June 6th, 1944, was the epic first day of the Battle of Normandy which became the turning point of World War II. Young men, including my great uncle Donny Van Natta, changed the course of history by running into the face of evil. He left the comforts of his home in Platteville, Wisconsin, to fight for our country and for a better world.

Donny and these other brave men risked everything they had, including their own lives, because the free world was under attack. They rose to the occasion, sacrificing their futures so we could have a better one.

My great uncle came home, but many made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Donny was forever impacted by his experiences. He never spoke of his time at war, but you could sense the burden he carried.

To honor the sacrifices of the greatest generation, this D-Day and every day, we must not tolerate tyranny on our streets, but stand up for this great country. We are defined at our core by our love for liberty and justice for all. Just as the courageous men on the beaches of Normandy stared evil in the eye and charged ahead, we must stand firm, tall, and proud to fight for the country we love and preserve our freedom for generations to come.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jessi Ebben is a Republican candidate in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District and a public relations professional from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.