What a day this has been (June 15). A time for reflection, reviewing history, and once again getting a glimpse of what the men and women in our country and our allies did to secure our freedom. It is a stark reminder that you can travel anywhere is the world these days and although your family and friends may worry, that things can happen right in your own backyard. This is especially true this week as many of us are thinking about the tragedies that have occurred in Orlando and that the men and women in our country who fight for our freedom are now fighting against a different kind of enemy, but once again still fighting for our freedom. Our hearts our heavy for the family and friends of all those in the horrific aftermath of the latest tragedy.
Today we dock in LaHavre, France. LaHavre is a major port in Northern France's Upper Normandy region, where the Seine River meets the English Channel and has always been the harbor for Paris.
A UNESCO world heritage site since 2005.
We are on a private tour today with our guide Sophie to Normandy. The massive allied assault on the Normandy coastline on June 6, 1944 aimed to liberage France and drive into Nazi Germany.
Before dawn on June 6, three airborne divisions - the US 82nd and 101st and the British 6th - landed by parachute and glider behind targeted beaches. Allied naval forces, including the US Coast ZGuard, conveyed assault forces aross the English Channel. Beginning at 0630 hours, six US, British and Canadian divisions landed on Utah Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches in history's greatest amphibious assault.
The US 4th Infantry Division pushed inland from Utah Beach. To the eat on Omaha Beach, the US 1st and 29th Infrantry Divisions battled German resistance over a beach bristling with obstacles. TO reach the plateau where Normandy American Cemetary stands, troops fought across an open area of up to 200 yards, and attacked up steep bluggs. By day's end the Americans held fragile control of Omaha Beach.
Over the next 3 months the Allies battled German troops throughout Normandy.
We visit the Normandy American Cemetary and Memorial. The Cemetary is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemetaries on foreign soil. The government of France granted use of this land, in perpetuity, as a permanent burial ground without charge or taxation.
In the Normandy American Cemetary and Memorial there are over 172 acres of land. There are 9,387 headstones: 9,238 Latin crosses and 149 Stars of David. There are 1,557 men still missing in action. There are 45 sets of brothers, 3 Medal of Honor Recipients.
The cemetary and memorial was dedicated July 18, 1956.
Following are pictures from the experience and walking in the footsteps of these brave men.
This is the Wall of all the soldiers listed who are missing in action. Over 1,500. They still are searching and occasionally find remains. If they do, they put a grommet type round thing at the end of the name to show that they have found those remains. They have found a couple dozen probably.
The inside of the chapel. The mosaic in the chapel depicts America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air and a grateful France bestowing a laurel wreath upon the American dead.
A soldier "Here Rests in Honored Glory: A Comrade in Arms Unknown But to God
President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Theordore Roosevelt Jr. killed on July 12 1944.
A headstone with the Star of David
An overview from the Memorial and Cemetary looking down upon Omaha Beach
In the cemetary you can type in a last name to see if anyone you may know is buried there. I typed in my maiden last name of Boman and the result was John E. Boman who was killed on June 6, 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Putting this here for my mom, because she is a big geneology expert and she can tell me whether we are related.
The reflecting pond which points out to Omaha Beach from the Memorial
We then went to The Pointe Du Hoc:
Group picture from the remains of one of the bunkers
In 1979 the French Government deeded this Ranger Monument to the American Battle Monuments Commission in recognition of enduring friendship between the two nations.
This is the World Peace Statute that was given to Normandy by Yao Yuan.
This little village our guide told us is where Walt Disney's ancestors were from. I can't remember the name of the village though. I thought I took a picture of a sign.
For lunch we stopped in a little town and I had my first waffle of the vacation! This was a waffle with Nutella, Pistachio Gelato and Whipped Cream. It was yummy!
This is the Church where the parachute jumper got caught. He hung for hours as German snipers were on the lookout to kill our soldiers. It looks like a plastic cover on the roof, but it is the silk parachute with the solider hanging from the side of the church.
Headed to another small town in Angoville Au Plain where soldiers set up a Red Cross center in this church. This is the memorial outside the church. Flowers have been placed recently there due to the anniversary of D-Day. Only 53 people currently reside in this little village.
The Tour de France is coming through this small village in 17 days! We all thought of Scott when we saw this!
Sign to Utah Beach
In World War II, Kilroy was here became very popular with the soldiers. Here is a sticker that is actually on the tour vehicle to symbolize that.
This is the Vote of Liberty statute. There are 1,200 of them built along the route of the Normandy beaches.
Today we dock in LaHavre, France. LaHavre is a major port in Northern France's Upper Normandy region, where the Seine River meets the English Channel and has always been the harbor for Paris.
A UNESCO world heritage site since 2005.
We are on a private tour today with our guide Sophie to Normandy. The massive allied assault on the Normandy coastline on June 6, 1944 aimed to liberage France and drive into Nazi Germany.
Before dawn on June 6, three airborne divisions - the US 82nd and 101st and the British 6th - landed by parachute and glider behind targeted beaches. Allied naval forces, including the US Coast ZGuard, conveyed assault forces aross the English Channel. Beginning at 0630 hours, six US, British and Canadian divisions landed on Utah Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches in history's greatest amphibious assault.
The US 4th Infantry Division pushed inland from Utah Beach. To the eat on Omaha Beach, the US 1st and 29th Infrantry Divisions battled German resistance over a beach bristling with obstacles. TO reach the plateau where Normandy American Cemetary stands, troops fought across an open area of up to 200 yards, and attacked up steep bluggs. By day's end the Americans held fragile control of Omaha Beach.
Over the next 3 months the Allies battled German troops throughout Normandy.
We visit the Normandy American Cemetary and Memorial. The Cemetary is one of 14 permanent American World War II military cemetaries on foreign soil. The government of France granted use of this land, in perpetuity, as a permanent burial ground without charge or taxation.
In the Normandy American Cemetary and Memorial there are over 172 acres of land. There are 9,387 headstones: 9,238 Latin crosses and 149 Stars of David. There are 1,557 men still missing in action. There are 45 sets of brothers, 3 Medal of Honor Recipients.
The cemetary and memorial was dedicated July 18, 1956.
Following are pictures from the experience and walking in the footsteps of these brave men.
Omaha Beach
Bunkers used by the Germans
This is the Wall of all the soldiers listed who are missing in action. Over 1,500. They still are searching and occasionally find remains. If they do, they put a grommet type round thing at the end of the name to show that they have found those remains. They have found a couple dozen probably.
The Memorial
Inside the chapel
The inside of the chapel. The mosaic in the chapel depicts America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air and a grateful France bestowing a laurel wreath upon the American dead.
A soldier "Here Rests in Honored Glory: A Comrade in Arms Unknown But to God
President Theodore Roosevelt's son, Theordore Roosevelt Jr. killed on July 12 1944.
A headstone with the Star of David
An overview from the Memorial and Cemetary looking down upon Omaha Beach
In the cemetary you can type in a last name to see if anyone you may know is buried there. I typed in my maiden last name of Boman and the result was John E. Boman who was killed on June 6, 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart. Putting this here for my mom, because she is a big geneology expert and she can tell me whether we are related.
The reflecting pond which points out to Omaha Beach from the Memorial
We then went to The Pointe Du Hoc:
Group picture from the remains of one of the bunkers
In 1979 the French Government deeded this Ranger Monument to the American Battle Monuments Commission in recognition of enduring friendship between the two nations.
This is the World Peace Statute that was given to Normandy by Yao Yuan.
This little village our guide told us is where Walt Disney's ancestors were from. I can't remember the name of the village though. I thought I took a picture of a sign.
For lunch we stopped in a little town and I had my first waffle of the vacation! This was a waffle with Nutella, Pistachio Gelato and Whipped Cream. It was yummy!
This is the Church where the parachute jumper got caught. He hung for hours as German snipers were on the lookout to kill our soldiers. It looks like a plastic cover on the roof, but it is the silk parachute with the solider hanging from the side of the church.
Headed to another small town in Angoville Au Plain where soldiers set up a Red Cross center in this church. This is the memorial outside the church. Flowers have been placed recently there due to the anniversary of D-Day. Only 53 people currently reside in this little village.
The Tour de France is coming through this small village in 17 days! We all thought of Scott when we saw this!
Sign to Utah Beach
In World War II, Kilroy was here became very popular with the soldiers. Here is a sticker that is actually on the tour vehicle to symbolize that.
This is the Vote of Liberty statute. There are 1,200 of them built along the route of the Normandy beaches.
It is already after 5 p.m. and it is a 2 hour drive back to the ship so we say goodbye to Normandy trying to absorb all the memories and reflections of our day.
We cross the bridge headed back to the ship.
Such a memorable day we experiences, all types of emotions. It really helped me to reflect on the sacrifices our soldiers have given for our country.
After arriving back to the Disney Magic, it is time for dinner in Lumiere's and then back to the room to start packing as I will be moving staterooms at the end of this cruise.
So, for now......Goodnight from the Disney Magic!
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