D Day

[phot]

After a hard week at work my wife wanted to do something on the weekend to clear her mind. A few minutes later and I had a fast ferry booking to France (Caen). We are only a short ride from the Ferry Terminal in Portsmouth, Southern England. Soon we were enjoying the fine weather and great scenery of Normandy, touring the historical sites of the D Day invasion by the allied forces, 6.6.1944, 65 years on. I often promised myself a trip of this type and this was the time. What struck us both is just how much the French people still demonstrate such gratitude to the allies for the sacrifices made. Following the coast, visiting the beaches/museums and watching the short documentary films, is a very moving experience. We met many Americans who had made the trip of a lifetime. For many, the highlight of the trip was a visit to both Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery which overlooks it. The Cemetery and memorial is more than worthy of the many who perished, not just at Omaha Beach, but all over France. A few staggering facts, 172.5 Acres, 9387 headstones, 3 recipients of the Medal of Honor, 41 sets of brothers. So much has been said about the invasion that there is little I could add, just that however much we try, we can never comprehend what those guys experienced. I know some reading this may have been lucky enough to have made the trip, but to those who have not, I hope you may at some time get the opportunity to do so. We made the trip on the Versys, not the Nomad, as you can see in the photo.
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http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6.../Cemetery1.jpg

http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h6.../Cemetery2.jpg