I'm Speechless

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

But before I get to that I want to let everyone know that I uploaded about 50 more pictures to the photo tab. I will try to upload at least 25 or so every day. Some will be from that day, some will be from days past. There not in any order, just the order I come across them. I also plan to add an entry for D-Day itself tomorrow during our seven hour bus ride. I apologize for the delay, but the slow internet, long days, and vast amounts of detail mean I cant make these posts as quickly as I promised. Now, back to June 6, 1944....

Yesterday, June 5, was a phenomenal experience. We arrived in France around 11 A.M. We took the bus to a D-Day museum. Now you have to remember that France has a different perspective on the war then the rest of the world does, so the museum is going to tell things slightly differently than what we are used to seeing. The museum was broken up into two parts, pre-1945, and post-1945. The pre-45' showed the rise of Hitler to power and how he quickly took over France once given the opportunity. We then saw what it was like to live in the shadow of Nazi Germany. We saw the stories of  the families and how their lives changed when the Nazi's invaded. But then everything changed on June 6, 1944. Operation Overlord changed the course of history forever. The French were, and still are, immensely grateful for us coming over and driving back the Nazi's.

"the memorial wall showing every state in the US"

The post-45' half of the museum showed us life during the cold war. How the citizens felt under the constant threat of nuclear attack, how the government had to deal with the communist advance, and how the whole situation in Europe ended. The museum showed me just how much the French care about those years and how much they are doing to preserve the history of what happened during WWII. After that enlightening experience, we traveled to visit the Caen canal bridge. This bridge was the first taken on the dawn of D-Day. This was also the location of the first American death in France, Lieutenant Herbert Denham Brotheridge. This bridge was the only way across the Caen canal, and therefore the only way the Germans could bring the Panzer divisions down to reinforce the beaches. If the Allies had not been able to hold the bridge for the two days until reinforcements could arrive, then the entire operation could have ended differently, possibly with the failure of the landing entirely, which would push the entire war back several years while a new plan was developed.

"swing arm of bridge. The bridge opens by shining to one side instead of raising"

Once we left the museum, and after lunch, we went to After hearing that incredible story we took the bus to Omaha Beach. We toured several of the gun emplacements the Germans had set up to defend the cost against an Allied invasion. The guns were mostly intact, with the exception of one, which was completely destroyed. The gun emplacements were very well secured, and it is remarkable that they could even be destroyed. There were four in total. Perhaps on purpose, about 10 min before we rolled in, a thick fog appeared and stayed with us until we left. I don't know what you believe in, but it did not feel like a coincidence to me.

 "destoryed gun emplacement" 

Our final stop was the D-Day cemetery. Words cannot describe the felling that we had while we were there. If anyone has ever been to Arlington, take that feeling times one hundred or more. Peter (our guide) showed us one of the 38 pairs of brothers that are buried in the cemetery. He also showed us a father and son who are buried next to each other. The son died a month before the father did. During our free time, Me, Nick and Robert went to find his friends great grandfathers grave. The family had never been to the cemetery and the only picture they had was blurry and unreadable. We were able to find the grave, and not only take pictures, but he took three rubbings to give to the family.

"part of cemetery"

This a message to the family: "I don't know your great grandfather, nor do I know any of you, but he was not only willing, but did give the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. No amount of words, or photos can ever bring him back, or fill the void in your hearts. Nevertheless, I mean this with the most respect, sympathy, and thankfulness when I say that his sacrifice will not go unnoticed. The legacy of this man, and thousands upon thousands before and after, will live on and serve as a guide, and a reminder, as to why this county was founded, and why we fight to protect what we believe so dearly is right. For this, I thank him and all of his family and friends whose lives were touched by this brave young man. May he rest in peace."