As I noted in my This is London Calling thread in the Lounge, I was given the opportunity to visit Normandy, France.

I plan on a much longer post detailing what I saw and learned from my three days in Normandy, but I wanted to share a taste of the images collected by my camera.

quote:

Sir, I saw a sign back thataways that said...

This is the Paratrooper's Memorial located outside St. Mere Eglise (49°24'5.20"N 1°21'46.43"W). I met an American family there who all but adopted me. I plan to make Leo, the patriarch, a pen pal. Despite being from Brooklyn, I think they'd fit in here like old old hands. More about them later.



I have to admit, I kept swallowing the emotions I felt everywhere I went as the magnitude of the debt we owe those 18-30 year old men sank in.

It was quite an experience.

I visited Normandy on 5 Jun 2015. It is an experience I think every American should have. (I think everyone should visit Arlington National Cemetery, too, and one or more of the American cemeteries in Europe.)

I think this photo says it all for me

DSC_0440-2.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

What a great old gentleman, and just one of the many who fought there.

flashguy

More images from Normandy

[IMG][/IMG]

Utah Beach, low tide, from the 35' bluff behind the beach

No pictures, Sig2340.

flashguy

At this point in my life, I doubt I'll make it to Europe, but if I do, a tour of Normandy is my first stop, followed by a visit to the American Cemetery in Luxembourg to show my respects to Gen. Patton.

My great uncle, Estill Sparks is buried at the Luxenbourg Cemetary. My grandfather, his brother made it back. He fought with the 759th Tank Battalion. It's a beautiful Cemetary. Somewhere I have a picture of my grandfather visiting his brothers grave there.

quote:

Originally posted by 10X-Shooter:
My great uncle, Estill Sparks is buried at the Luxenbourg Cemetary. My grandfather, his brother made it back. He fought with the 759th Tank Battalion. It's a beautiful Cemetary. Somewhere I have a picture of my grandfather visiting his brothers grave there.

Photos of that cemetery in 1980:

07-016--Luxembourg Am. Cem. and Mem.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

07-013--Luxembourg Am. Cem. and Mem.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

07-015--Luxembourg Am. Cem. and Mem.jpg by David Casteel, on Flickr

The American cemeteries in Europe are beautiful and perfectly maintained. Every American should visit one or more of them--a very emotional experience.

flashguy

Thanks! It's a serene place to be laid to rest.

I was just there over the anniversary. When were you there?

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
I was just there over the anniversary. When were you there?

Depending on what you mean by "there", I was at Normandy on 5 Jun 2015 and at the Luxembourg Cemetery around Apr 1980.

flashguy

I was just wondering if Sig2340 and I were there at the same time. Then I saw that his post is from the 2nd so we just missed each other probably. I got there the 3rd.

quote:

Originally posted by Skull Leader:
I was just wondering if Sig2340 and I were there at the same time. Then I saw that his post is from the 2nd so we just missed each other probably. I got there the 3rd.

Great minds, think alike.