Final Thoughts on Europe

Before we return back to the United States I thought it would be nice to see what everyone else thinks of the trip. This whole blog has been my random 3 A.M. inspiration, with a few exceptions. Since I am only one student on the trip, I couldn't have seen everything. So here is the rest of the crew with their experiences of the last 10 days.

Warren High School-Ohio

"This trip will be one I will remember for the rest of my life. I have met great people and built new friendships all while visiting places that not everyone gets to experience. I believe we have all had our eyes opened to important events during World War II that will make us truly appreciate the life we have today. Thank you to everyone who made this possible for us!" - Arizzona Albright

"I can describe this trip in three words: words fall short." - Nicholas Fish

"The main thing I learned on this trip is that sometimes it's not about the destinations, it's about the journey...even if they take seven hours. Also, Kansas knows how to make 'em." - Robert Fish

"Through the hardships we triumph, yet no victory has no losses. Goodbye Kansas kids." - Jake Guess

"I've taken French for 4 years, and it's always been my favorite class, so getting to visit France, talk to the locals and just experience their culture first hand was a dream come true." -Thomas "That guy"

"It's one thing to learn history from a textbook and from a lesson in class, but this trip has expanded horizons and strengthened friendships, which is an experience you usually can't find in a classroom. -MaKayla Baker

"One thing that I gained from this trip is perspective. It is surely one thing to learn about the losses, casualties, and victories of the Allies and Axis in the classroom, but to really visit the cemeteries and memorials is another thing entirely. I see now the sacrifices that were made for my freedom, and I will be forever thankful for that." - Collin Richards

 WMS "I don't know for sure if anyone on this trip will ever come here again. I think it was a lifechanging experience for everyone. All the friendly people, the sights, the history, the food, what could top that?" - Garrett Biddinger

Atchison County Community High School-Kansas

"This trip was one that will never be forgotten. There are no words that really explain how amazing this experience was. We visited some pretty amazing places that people dream of seeing. I met some awesome people on the way I call them my crazy Ohio friends. I never thought that I would be able to bond with so many people in such a short time. Thank God for social media, I can keep in touch with them all. There were a few mix-ups and a few late arrivals but thanks to our awesome tour guide, it all worked out. I am truly blessed that i was able to participate in this trip!" - Katie Beien

"This trip is definitely memorable. It was a very intense experience. Many moments we captured with our phones and cameras but other moments only our eyes could capture. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. Meeting new people can be scary but when we met the people from ohio that were joining us, we bonded right away. Not everyone can do that. I'm very thankful for the experience and new friends."- Daisey Norris

"Our trip to Europe is something I will always remember! From seeing new places, making new friends, and creating unforgettable memories. I am so thankful to have gotten to explore Europe with a great group of people. The food was great, weird at times, but we never passed up the chance to take a risk. One of my favorite moments is running the streets in the downpouring rain with all the kids. Europe was a great experience, but the memories made with these people were even better."-Hailey McConnaughey 

"From charming hotel rooms to the new found knowledge this trip leaves it mark. The people and the places, the late nights and early mornings, every unpictured spontaneous moment will be the ones left to us to remember. One particular moment being feeling the first few drops of the Belgium rain as us students went exploring to the burst of downpour that launched us into a run in the narrow street. we have the pictures. We have the memories. Now we have thankful hearts for this experience." -Erin Hamilton

"I loved the worldly experience that the trip brought too me and in the end I'll walk away a little more cultured."-Luke Miller

Dachau-The beginning of the story and the end for our journey.

Wow! Just wow! I couldn't have asked for the trip to end in a more dramatic/enjoyable way. We got up this morning with only a few stops in mind. It is the last day, so we need to make it count. Before we headed to Dachau, we got a tour of Belgium by a local guide. We took our slightly smaller then usual tour bus around the town. She showed us several interesting locations. The first place we went was to a pavilion where the Nazi HQ was located, as well as where several rally's happened.

Afterwords she took us to the Nynphenburg summer castle. The place was massive. The cost of the land alone, which is 230 Hectares, is over 11$ Billion Euro, which is more in American currency. The place took over 3 generations to build. The castle featured a large garden. Each small rectangular plot contained over 18,000 flowers. The length of the property was three quarters of a mile from end to end. You couldn't get any real idea of just how large it was until a train went by on the far end every 20 min. To each side of the garden was a artificial forest. The forest is made with real trees. but they were planted in such a way to make it look more attractive as well as make it easier for hunting the animals.

We decided to make a quick stop at the BMW showcase room. This may be a WWII trip, but those cars are still awesome to look at. There isn't really much to say about them other than BMW's are sweet. Lets not forget the V-12 Rolls Royce. It was a nice little break from reality to go see modern technology.

Once we made a stop for lunch, and a final shopping trip, it was time for the one place we were all excited and dreading going-Dachau. Dachau was the first concentration camp built by the Nazi's. It was built in 1933. Initially, Dachau was not a death camp. It was a camp for "political enemies, misfits, or those not deemed a benefit society" The camp was only meant to hold 6,000 prisoners. However, by the end of the war, the camp was holding over 34,000. During the years of 38-39' the inmates were forced to build 30 new barracks for incoming prisoners. All new prisoners were shaved, showered, and given a number.

From then on, they had to follow every order the SS guards gave them. If they disobeyed, or if a "report" was filed, then they would be punished. The punishments ranged from being hung from a pole, to being executed in a variety of cruel and unethical ways. In the far back of the camp lies the SS main method of "disposing" of prisoners. There was a gas chamber and a crematory. The chamber was the most used method in all the camps throughout the years. Dachau was the model of every future camp created by the Nazi's.

As the war progressed, the prisoners conditions worsened, and the deaths increased. Beds were put closer and closer together. Guards became hostile, beating entire groups of inmates for no reason. Food became more scarce, and "suicides" became more common. As the war was drawing to a close, the SS was trying to either kill or move all of the prisoners. the streets were lined with bodies, and the smell of the furnaces could be smelled for miles. What I saw, and what I felt is something I will never forget. I believe it is something that everyone should have to experience once in their lives. That, along with the cemetery at Omaha.

Nuremberg Trials

I'm sorry again for the late post. I had meant for this to go up this morning, German time. However, sine I did this post on my phone, the pictures were not completely uploaded. SO, instead of posting, it was stuck on saving all day. I'm so sorry about that. I know I said I would have a post for every day by 9:30, but with how busy we are, and how bad the WiFi is, it has been more difficult than anticipated.

Today was an interesting one. We left Frankfurt for Nuremberg on the train at 10. By noon we had already arrived in Nuremberg. The first place we visited was the birth place of the Nazis.

The Nazis had built a stadium designed to hold thousands. The stadium was surrounded by huge spotlights that shone for miles into the sky. At the center of the sides, on a raised podium, is the location where Hitler have his speech to the German world. This first speech is the start of the Nazi takeover of Germany. It's a strange feeling to stand where a man like Hitler once stood and to imagine the thousands of people who came to hear him speak. Once we had left the stadium, we headed to court.

Even heads of state are not above the law. The Nuremberg Trials were a series of trials attempting to convict leaders of the Nazi party, and high ranking military officers and commanders. They were charged with various crimes such as crimes against the peace, conspiracy, and crimes against humanity. The majority of the accused were charged, and many were executed by hanging. These trials show that no one is above the law, and every one must answer for their actions. A hanging is a small punishment for the years of rape, murder, and abuse of humans many of them were deeply involved in.

Tomorrow's the last full day in Europe. We have a big day ahead, and at the end it will finally be time to head to Dachau.

Willkommen in Deutschland!

We have finally arrived in Germany. Well, this evening anyway. Before our 3 hour turned almost 5 hours bus ride, we had to make a few more stops in Belgium. Our first stop was a memorial dedicated to General Patton. Patton was in command of a tank battalion during the war. During the Battle of the Bulge, the city of Bastone was surrounded by the Nazi forces. The 101st Airborne was able to hold out in the sub zero temperatures with limited visibility, little ammunition, and little supplies for first aid or the cold. After several weeks of being completely surrounded, General Patton was able to break through to Bastone and save the 101st, although to this day the 101 says they didn't need saved.

After visiting the monument, we went to a museum about the Battle at Bastone, which was only built in 2014. Inside, we were given a headset that played different audio tracks depending on where we were in the museum. The audio followed the lives of four people who were involved in the battle. A German solder, an American solder, a young woman, and a small boy. As we traveled through the museum, the battle drew near, until we were in the middle of it. We then followed each of them throughout the siege of Bastone. There were also two fifteen minute movies about the battle, one about the offensive itself, and one about Patton. The museum really showed me just how how crucial of a role the 101st played in stopping the German offensive.

Once we left the museum we went to a forest next to a cow farm, and no, i'm not joking, Just inside the forest were the remains of foxholes dug by the 101st 72 years ago. They were partly filled in, and had vegetation growing in them, but it did give a good representation of what it must have been like for the solders to try to survive, with the exception that when we were there it was about 75 degrees too warm. I know one thing, I'm glad they didn't surrender and were able to hold out despite the odds. In fact, the German commander offered them a change to surrender. The American commander,
Anthony McAuliffe, replied simply with "Nuts."

Afterwords we had lunch and took a bus ride to Frankfurt, Germany. on the way we had to take a detour, and then a detour for that detour, and then a detour for the detour for the detour. And then we took yet another detour. What was supposed to take three hours took almost five. After dinner, we went into the old town center to see the historic looking buildings, most of which were rebuilt after the war. It was quite a unique experience to see ancient design on one side, and then see a skyscraper right next to it. It shows just how much times have changed.

Only three more days until we are home. This week has gone by in a flash. I'm sad that it's coming to a close, but at the same time I am thankful for all of the memories I have made. Not only with the museums and the monuments, but the new friendships I have gained. I think i speak for everyone, Kansas included, when I say that we thank you for giving us this once in a life time opportunity. The memories we make here will carry with us for the rest of our lives. In 10 years, there may be no veterans left to share there story, no one to thank or shake their hand. All that will be left will be the memories of those who went and talked to them, who went and visited the cemeteries, the statues, and the museums. Because of this trip their sacrifice will always be remembered and honored for what it should be, nothing more, nothing less.

Wow, just wow!

The things that I, and the rest of the group witnessed on this 72nd anniversary of D-Day shall never be forgotten....

As a side note, Not much happened today. We took a seven hour bus ride into Belgium. As an interesting comparison, France looks like Ohio, with its flat plains and open spaces and Belgium looks like West Virginia, more hilly and full of trees and bends in the road.
Also, I feel like I should mention that we are not alone on this trip. We are with 5 students and a teacher from a school in Kansas. They are really nice people, and by the second day, we had all became the best of friends. It's going to be a sad day when we all have to say goodbye, but not before we share phone numbers or other social media so we can keep in touch. I'm glad that they are with us, and it has only added to the memories that have been made on this trip.

"Their not in Kansas anymore"

June 6, 1944. That date means so much more to me now then it ever did, and is a day which now holds a different place in my heart, thanks to the wonderful ceremony, the veterans, and all the people who fight to ensure that this day will always be remembered for what happened, and that the sacrifices made by both sides were for a cause that was worth dying for.
We arrived at Omaha beach around 9 A.M. Just as we arrived, a ceremony was starting. This ceremony is something I will never forget. The mayor of the town, whose name escapes me at the moment, as well as a current high ranking officer of the United States military, gave speeches about the sacrifice the solders made on that day, and how their actions have shaped the course of history. The speeches were accompanied by about a dozen veterans who surrounded one of the monuments on the beach. Each were carrying a different flag. I'm not positive about all of the flags, but I believe that in addition to the French and American flag, there were the flags of the different divisions and battalions that fought on Omaha beach on June 6. Once both speeches had been given. The national anthems of the United States and France were played as their respective flags were raised. Afterwords, I went up to shake the hands of the veterans who were in attendance and to thank them for their service.

Once I had talked to the veterans and a few current service members, I went to a place I thought I would never be able to. I stood on the beach were 72 years before, American men fought to break through the Atlantic Wall. It was a surreal feeling to be standing on that beach. I will never forget standing as far down as the tide currently was, and looking all the way back to the beachhead and realizing that that is less then a quarter of the distance that those brave men had to charge up, with machine guns blasting and shells exploding all around them, all while watching their fellow soldiers gen mowed down or blown to hell and back. I have a new found respect for them. Before I only knew, now I understand.

Following that emotional experience, we went to Pointe Du Hoc. Pointe Du Hoc was the location of several 155 mm long range naval guns that could fire on both Utah and Omaha beaches. If these guns were not disabled or destroyed, they could decimate the naval and landing forces attempting to take the beaches. The U.S. Rangers were tasked with taking the point, and disabling the guns. This was however, no easy task. The guns were located at the top of a 150 ft vertical cliff, with little shore to land, and almost no way up. The Rangers used a specially modified landing craft that was capable of launching grappling hooks up the vertical cliff. They were able to assault and take the point, however, the Germans had moved the guns after the bombing and shelling of the point over the last six weeks. The Rangers eventually discovered were the guns were taken and were able to destroy them. Three days later, reinforcements arrived to firmly secure the point. Unfortunately, during the three days of almost constant German counterattack, only 95 of the over 230 men were capable of fighting when it was over.

Our final stop was a small town deeper into France where the 101st airborne first landed. In the small city of Sainte Mere-Eglis, the villagers had a plan to conceal the arrival of the paratroopers. A building was set ablaze late at night, and the townspeople were able to convince the Germans occupying that area to have a temporary life on the curfew to try to save the building. The villagers made as much noise as possible in the hopes that the Germans would not hear the planes flying overhead. The airborne were quick to sweep through the village in an attempt to take it. They did succeed, but not before an unfortunate set of events that unfolded on one man, John M. Steele. Steele jumped in with the 101st, but never made it to the ground. His parachute got caught on the steeple of the city church, and after several hours, he was helped down and then arrested by the Nazi's. After spending several hours in a holding cell, he manages to escape. He returns to the 101st and continues to fight for the remainder of the war. Long after the war, when Steele returned to the village, he became an icon, and thousands of people came to the village to meet the man who got stuck on top of a church.

"He is more famous then the ones who actually fought in the battle"

That's the best that I can do with today. What I said here is only a small part of the emotion that was felt by the entire group at Normandy. No amount of words can fully describe what it is like to be there in person. It is something that every person in the free world should have to do at least once in their lifetime.

I'm Speechless

Words cannot describe the last two days here in Normandy....

D-Day

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces:

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers