Normandy, WWII

"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon" - Napoleon Bonaparte

 D-Day, Normandy beach, WWII. We all have studied it in our history classes in High School but D-Day has a completely new meaning after being on and around the beach the soldiers stormed.

Imagine having to climb that huge hill.

The soldiers were true heros. Standing on Omaha beach looking up the hill where 67 years ago stood the German soldiers brought a whole new meaning. For one the hill was so steep that Sarah and I got tired just from walking up the hill on a paved path. The Germans had such a large advantage over the French, Americans, Canadians, and British that I think the first soldiers to get out of the boats must have known they were going to die. It was amazing to think at how brave these men must have been.

The American cemetary

The cemetary where the Americans lie today is so beautiful and peaceful. The white crosses and the silence remind us of actually how many Americans lost their life that day. You could feel the weight of that day. The soldiers rest on American soil. The land that the cemetary is on is considered the USA. (so techinically I was in the U.S. for a while!)

Crosses that went on seemingly forever.

After this cemetary we went to another beautiful cemetary for the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives. I liked the crosses here better, they told the age of the soldier and even had a quote or saying ingraved that the family of the soldier had wanted on the grave. It reminded you that it was not just the soldier affected, it was their kids, their wives, everyone around them. You could see how much each and every soldier was missed after they were gone, you could see the sadness.

Canadian Cemetary

After the two cemetarys we went to a museum at Caen. We ate our lunch outside the museum. We had sandwiches and crackers that are a specialty of Bretagne. The museum was very interesting. I liked seeing the perspective of the war from a different countries view. I also learned a bit more that I did not know from my History class. I find that history is taught in the states as much more of this is what the US did for the war, not this was the war. Anyways I learned about how we, meaning Canada, US, France, and Britain bombed all the major French cities on D-Day after Britain was bombed by the Germans. The cities that were bombed, including the city I was in Caen were complete recks after. Buildings were toppled and burning.

American Flag!

The crosses went on forever it seemed.

This is at the top of the hill looking out over the water

Walking down to the beach

Almost there!

There!

Museum in Caen

On the bottom it says "He gave his life so we might live"

Host Dad- Thanks for bringing us!

The day was so nice and Sarah and I were both very tired after the day. We did not get home until pretty late and I went to bed so after I got home. Thank you Mr. Berthoux for taking Sarah and I on this wonderful adventure, we both appreciated it!