Remeberance

  The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity!  J and I were lucky enough to have a couple friends come and stay with us.  We didn't rest for a second and soaked in as much as Paris as we could together.  We were also lucky enough to make a trip out of the city to the Normandy area.  Since today is 9/11, I thought it would be a good time to share our experience at Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery and some Normandy cities. 

  Before 9/11 finding scars of war left on our country wasn't easy, not to say that there aren't any (Civil War battlefields come to mind).  It is completely different here in France.  You can't walk a few blocks and not come across bullet holes or evidence of shellings, mostly from WWII.  It's embedded in every town, reminders of the not so distance past and the sacrifice given by all.  Some towns were so damaged it is wondrous that any building was left standing at all.  In Caen (where we stayed the night), there was heavy damage, but the Chateau built in 1060 still stands.

Eglise Saint-Pierre in Caen that we visited in the early morning fog.

Le Chateau de Caen.

  After walking around Caen in the morning we drove to the Normandy Beaches.  It was a beautiful day for a walk on the beach.  The beach was so peaceful, at first glance there seems to be no reminders of D-Day. 

Omaha beach.

The hills behind the beach.  From here it looks like any other part of the landscape.

  As you walk up the hill pockets of the war left behind begin to appear.  Old carved out bunkers and leveled out pieces of land where heavy artillery stood still remain.  It's surreal to climb down into one of the bunkers and look out down the hill.  This is where machine guns fired relentlessly at the men on the beaches.  The terror and the anguish are nearly palpable, yet softened by the beautiful scenery.

View from a bunker.

 Truly the most powerful part of the experience was at the American Cemetery.  The Visitors Center, which was dedicated in 2007, was incredible.  There were so many personal stories of men (and a few women) who fought, died, and were true heroes.  The entire experience is beyond words on how it touches you and brings you in to that time.  If you are in France for any period of time, make this a priority.  The cemetery itself is beautifully laid out and landscaped meticulously.  It over looks the sea and there is a true sense of calm and peace there. 

~President Truman

  I feel like I should end with something profound or some piece of wisdom.  Truthfully, I have none, words don't really feel like enough when it comes to summing up an era of war.  Needless to say, I am thankful for all soldiers and volunteers, men and women, who stand up everyday and fight for the United States.  It was a privilege to be able to visit such sacred ground.

~L