Recap of Normandy Day - October 19, 2014

Well!  A good night's sleep and I am back!

Our tour to Normandy started very early so we had to be very, very early!!  We were up and out the door at 6:30 am for a short walk to meet the tour on the other side of the Louvre. It was dark and very few people about so no crowds and no coffee :(

We met the rest of the group (total about 35) and hopped on the bus for our 3 hour ride to the first stop in Caen.  The first hour was in the dark since the sun didn't appear until after 8am!
In Caen we visited one of the many museums dedicated to the events of WWII.  It was quite modern and built on the site of a very sizable German bunker.  Caen is also historic in itself since it was the home of William the Conquerer and he is buried in the Cathedral.  This part of France was at one time part of England.  The museum was pretty flashy but lacked artifacts, in my opinion.  Lots of things to read and pictures to see mostly about how the war affected the French.  There was an interesting 8 minute video with split screen that showed film from D-Day.  One side was film from the Allies and on the other side German films and they were linked time-wise on the morning of June 6, 1944.  Nicely done.

We had lunch at the museum which was very nice and it was a sit-down meal with wine!  Ooh, lala!  Just what we needed!  It was also a very welcome bathroom break since we'd been on the non-stop since Paris!!

Our next stop was Pointe-du-Hoc.  This was a very moving place to be situated between Utah and Omaha beaches.  On this point on D-day, elements of the 2nd Ranger Bn. scaled the 100 ft cliffs and seized the German artillery which was interfering with the landings at the two beaches. Of the 225 men who participated in this assault, only 90 were still able to bear arms when they were relieved on June 8, 1944.  The French Government erected a large granite dagger to honor the Rangers atop the German Bunker.  This was a very emotional place for us since our eldest, Ed, Jr., is a proud Ranger.
Especially moving was the Sacrifice Gallery where personal stories of the Rangers were told in heartbreaking detail.

Next was the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach.  My words here will be so completely inadequate but I'll do my best.

The acres and acres of crosses and Stars of David literally take your breath away.  Over 9000 heroes lie there and it is such a staggering sight, I found it hard to breathe.  My gratitude and sorrow got all mixed up and I felt honored to be there.  The Omaha Beach is just below the cemetery and, it's been described as "bloody beach".  Seventy years have gone by and you feel that it will always be hallowed ground.  We are so honored that we got to pay our respects here.

Our next stop was Juno Beach where the Canadian's came ashore on D-day and they have another impressive monument to their fallen soldiers who are named on kiosks placed in the courtyard of the visitors center.  Many German bunkers are still there and the beach was more difficult than Omaha or Utah as there are many shoals do deal with and the Canadians need a high tide to assault the beach where the Germans were waiting....well fortified.

By then it was getting late in the day and it was time for our return to Paris.  The ride was pretty uncomfortable and the A/C wasn't working but after spending the day learning about sacrifice, suffering and heroism our complaints are embarrassing.

We were back in Paris at our stop at 9pm and then headed to a neighborhood restaurant for some snails and onion soup!  Delish!

It was a long and emotionally draining day that I wouldn't trade for anything!

Today is a relaxing day and we are having a leisurely morning before heading out for a long walk to the Eiffel Tower.  There is a threat of rain but we'll be prepared.
More tonight.
XOXOXOOX
M