I am proud to be an American.
A brass band paying patriotic music, a retired and wrinkled man in his military cap, or a soldier in fatigues or dress clothes all make me a little misty.
Memorial Day is probably my favorite holiday (after the big three: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.) My heart swells to see men and women honored for their service to our country at home and abroad. This is my main reason for this posting.
I gained a greater appreciation for the service our servicemen render to the world for humanity's sake during my trip to France.
I have read numerous books on U.S. history, and in particular, WWII. I knew all about the timeline of events leading up to the Allied invasion on the Normandy beaches in 1944. My latest read, The Longest Day by Cornelius Ryan was an excellent book to prepare and inform me. I also highly enjoyed The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman. ( This takes place in Warsaw, Poland and it was poignant to read in that general region in March. It helped broaden my vision of life under Nazi occupation.)
I cannot write all of my thoughts of my visit, but I will try to share a few. I found the cycle of life to be a bit strange. Sixty years later, I was on a German airline flying from San Francisco to Frankfurt and then on to Paris. I was reading a book onboard about U.S. forces fighting Germany in the country of France, while being served by the most pleasant German hostesses. I flew over countryside and farmland which routes were no doubt frequented by bombers and fighter planes from both sides. It's strange how much things change in the course of one person's lifetime. When I visited Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah beaches it was hard to imagine the events that began at midnight on June 6, 1944. The only remnants are cement blocks from the harbor created in the bay of Arromanches.
I learned that the French people (contrary to current sentiment) were deeply affected and profoundly grateful to the young men who gave their lives for the liberation of a country and its people on the other side of the world. Every town and village I drove through has a plaque or a monument to honor the particular day of its liberation.
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial felt like coming home. The memorial gives honor and respect to those who died in northern France. The museum with artifacts and videos was heartfelt and personal. It was a sobering yet tender visit that I will never forget. Truly, France, Europe, and the world would not be what they are today without the sacrifice of men from the Allied forces. We are a country that in its core values, tries to help those who cannot fight for themselves. I think this continues today. I am and will be eternally grateful to the men and women of the Armed Forces.
This quick video will help you to experience a bit without being there in person.
