D-Day Post 1

On June 6th 1944 the Allied troops landed on the French coast of Normandy. This happens to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Which makes what happened here more tragic and more wonderful at the same time.

These are pictures of Point du Hoc. Point du Hoc is where the 2nd Ranger Battalion climbed the now famous cliffs at Normandy. The Allies knew that there were two enormous guns at the top of these cliffs. Guns that could take out Utah and Omaha beaches if they wanted. So the plan was that the Rangers would climb the cliffs, take out the guns and make is safe for the men to land at the beaches.

For days prior to the 6th, aircraft bombed the area. Making huge craters all around. (Simon is standing in the bottom of one of these craters here) Once the men got to the top, they found the guns had been moved. But they were met my German soldiers. There was fighting, and hiding in these big pits. They Allies finally overtook this part of Normandy and actually found the guns down the road, trying to be moved to a different location.

We were here on a holiday weekend, and I was astonished to see how many French were here. This is our second time to these beaches, and both times people have been so nice. I've heard they are so nice to American's in this part of France, because these people and their grandparents remember the American's being so nice to them. Those young boys gave up everything, many their lives, to help free the French.

Where the guns once stood.

It's amazing to realize that this is pretty close to how it would have looked when the American's landed. While there is grass growing over the bombed out area, most places with damage like this from the war, have been filled in long ago.

A better look at the shoreline and the cliffs.

Sam, reliving the moment. Let's hope he never has to do it for real.

It was interesting hearing all of the people around us. As you well know, I don't speak French. But people commented to each other over and over again as we walked by, "Americans." Refering to us, in a good way. It made me proud. It made me feel wonderful to take my children here to see what their forefathers did for them. To remember. We take SO much for granted, and living here I realize how much we truly have in the States. And how very fragile it is. We have to hang on to what these men were fighting for. Freedom. It seems to be slipping through our very fingers.