I've always wanted to see the Beaches of Normandy. After the monument was built for Paratroopers who landed the night before D-Day, I knew it would be a life changing moment.
For those who know me well, you know I love Richard Winters. He was a positive force for the allies in the war, and a man that Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division looked up to as a great leader. Without his calm, collective, and respectful leadership style, there may have been a different ending for many battles that Easy Company fought in. He is my hero. The monument is of Richard Winters. It is my number one bucket list item to visit that monument and take flowers to thank the Paratroopers from all nations who joined the war effort on June 5th.
Needless to say, when we woke up that morning and headed to Normandy's museum, I was already antsy and excited. This was the part of the tour that I was most excited about. We split into three groups with our own tour guides. Sandy, my guide, was phenomenal. She knew everything there was to know about WWII and the years leading up to it. Professor Zalar had been amazing in the classroom, but Sandy brought the French side to the table. It was a first-hand perspective that really enforced what we had learned in the classroom.
After visiting the museum, we ate lunch and headed to the first beach before the American Cemetery.
We looked into the barrel of German pill boxes that shot down American, British and Canadian boats and Am-Tracs as they made their way onto the beaches during the invasion. These guns shot over 11 miles and rarely took a large hit from the allies. Many of them were still in tact.
Seeing their preparation, it was so hard to imagine the thought that men even made it onto the beaches on June 6th. And to think, these were some of the most lightly defended areas on the French seaboard.
After a little over an hour, we headed to the cemetery.
Walking up to the cemetery, there were two rows of perfectly trimmed trees. To the right sits a time capsule waiting until 2044 to be opened. I would love to witness that moment.
Looking to the right, there is a huge structure with a statue in the middle. We later learned it was a thank you to 'America's Youth' for giving their lives. To the left, a large reflection pool surrounded by American Flags and beyond thst were the graves. Thousands upon thousands of white crosses with a few hundred stars of David. It was breathtaking and devastating at the same time.
We walked around reading names, and Sandy took us to the Nyland brothers (Saving Private Ryan was written after their family's story), the Roosevelt brothers, and a few other sites. Each cross or star had a story behind them, and I wish I could have learned them all.
After a brief tour we split up to walk around alone. I visited the overlook to the beach, the chapel, and the wall of the missing. Only thirteen of the 1300 MIA men have been found to this day.
Leaving the cemetery, I had a mix of emotions swimming around. I was so proud of their efforts and so hurt for their families. They showed honor and courage, but too many died too young in this horrific war. Seeing the graves made the numbers so much more real.
We drove to Omaha beach, one of the American landing sights. Today, it seemed so calm and peaceful. It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. I vowed to myself that I'd return one day.
We drove to another site, this was where the Ranger's landed on D-Day. They were 40 minutes late on their attack, fought a hard hand-to-hand battle, and their operation almost failed, because the German's moved their targeted guns. Looking over the cliff's edge at the rock face that these men had to scale, I really wonder what fool thought the invasion would ever succeed that day.
You hear about life changing moments and times that your breath is taken away. This entire day felt like a whirlwind of emotion. I hit an all time high and low this day.
For those who know me well, you know I love Richard Winters. He was a positive force for the allies in the war, and a man that Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division looked up to as a great leader. Without his calm, collective, and respectful leadership style, there may have been a different ending for many battles that Easy Company fought in. He is my hero. The monument is of Richard Winters. It is my number one bucket list item to visit that monument and take flowers to thank the Paratroopers from all nations who joined the war effort on June 5th.
Needless to say, when we woke up that morning and headed to Normandy's museum, I was already antsy and excited. This was the part of the tour that I was most excited about. We split into three groups with our own tour guides. Sandy, my guide, was phenomenal. She knew everything there was to know about WWII and the years leading up to it. Professor Zalar had been amazing in the classroom, but Sandy brought the French side to the table. It was a first-hand perspective that really enforced what we had learned in the classroom.
After visiting the museum, we ate lunch and headed to the first beach before the American Cemetery.
We looked into the barrel of German pill boxes that shot down American, British and Canadian boats and Am-Tracs as they made their way onto the beaches during the invasion. These guns shot over 11 miles and rarely took a large hit from the allies. Many of them were still in tact.
Seeing their preparation, it was so hard to imagine the thought that men even made it onto the beaches on June 6th. And to think, these were some of the most lightly defended areas on the French seaboard.
After a little over an hour, we headed to the cemetery.
Walking up to the cemetery, there were two rows of perfectly trimmed trees. To the right sits a time capsule waiting until 2044 to be opened. I would love to witness that moment.
Looking to the right, there is a huge structure with a statue in the middle. We later learned it was a thank you to 'America's Youth' for giving their lives. To the left, a large reflection pool surrounded by American Flags and beyond thst were the graves. Thousands upon thousands of white crosses with a few hundred stars of David. It was breathtaking and devastating at the same time.
We walked around reading names, and Sandy took us to the Nyland brothers (Saving Private Ryan was written after their family's story), the Roosevelt brothers, and a few other sites. Each cross or star had a story behind them, and I wish I could have learned them all.
After a brief tour we split up to walk around alone. I visited the overlook to the beach, the chapel, and the wall of the missing. Only thirteen of the 1300 MIA men have been found to this day.
Leaving the cemetery, I had a mix of emotions swimming around. I was so proud of their efforts and so hurt for their families. They showed honor and courage, but too many died too young in this horrific war. Seeing the graves made the numbers so much more real.
We drove to Omaha beach, one of the American landing sights. Today, it seemed so calm and peaceful. It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. I vowed to myself that I'd return one day.
We drove to another site, this was where the Ranger's landed on D-Day. They were 40 minutes late on their attack, fought a hard hand-to-hand battle, and their operation almost failed, because the German's moved their targeted guns. Looking over the cliff's edge at the rock face that these men had to scale, I really wonder what fool thought the invasion would ever succeed that day.
You hear about life changing moments and times that your breath is taken away. This entire day felt like a whirlwind of emotion. I hit an all time high and low this day.