Mom in High Heels Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Since today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day, I thought I'd share photos from our trip there in Dec 2009. My dad flew to Germany for Christmas, and we went on a long trip, including walking in the Battle of the Bulge Memorial Walk (65th anniversary of the battle), going to Reims, Bayeux (the tapestry is amazing), and around the historical WWII sites of Normandy. Here are a few shots from Point du Hoc, Utah Beach, Omaha Beach and the Cemetery above the beaches. Pointe du Hoc, which is the highest point between Utah and Omaha beaches (the craters are left overs from WWII) James Bond and Indy inside one of the craters We were told this barbed wire is original from the war. Army soldiers scaled the steep cliff and came through the wire You can see how very, very steep the cliffs are The Beaches This is my dad standing at the water front. We happened to be there at low tide, which is when the troops would have landed. The beaches were HUGE. I had no idea how large they were. Looking to the left Looking to the right Looking back toward the town and cliffs I was standing about 1/4 of the way up the beach from the water, and my dad, JB and Indy aren't at the top of the beach yet. Look how far these guys had to go to get up the beach, while being fired on from the cliffs above. Photos of the cemetery in the next post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 Photos from the cemetery above the beaches. Indy overlooking the beaches from the balcony of the museum, just outside the cemetery Memorial at the entrance to the cemetery There are approximately 10,000 graves at this cemetery There were so many markers like this. It made me so sad that their families never really knew what happened to them, and where they were laid to rest This marker did me in. The note in the flowers reads: To The Dad I Never Knew. A True American Hero This is one of my favorite photos of my dad. We were there at sunset, so we got to see them lower the flags while Taps played. My dad, a retired military member, turned to the flag poles and saluted. James Bond did the same, and Indy did the Scout salute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted June 7, 2014 Author Share Posted June 7, 2014 If anyone else has photos (I know several of us have been there), please post them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momto10blessings Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Wow, thanks. Will show my kids in the morning for a little history lesson. Lovely tribute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FO4UR Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures. :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 If anyone else has photos (I know several of us have been there), please post them! Beautiful - thank you, Heels! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plink Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 I have photos but they are much older. My Grandpa was an army photographer in 1944. My dad still won't let me see some of the images. They are hidden away in a trunk; too important to destroy, but too disturbing to look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 My grandpa was there that day. He passed away about five years ago. I can't begin to imagine the horrors those brave men saw. I haven't made it there yet, but it's on my bucket list. Thank you for the pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewe Mama Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thank you for sharing all of the photos. I have so many emotions churning around. It was a beautiful place, but one moment in time has forever changed our perception of it. May we never forget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dana Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmith Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thanks for sharing! My father and grandfather were both part of the invasion, both in the merchant marines. http://www.usmm.org/ddayheroes.html Ds and I were looking at this today on Google: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/entity/%2Fm%2F01lhv6?v.filter=exhibits&hl=en Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaillardia Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thank you for posting your photos. My 17 y.o.ds reminded us early on today that it was D-Day. My dad and fil both served in WWII. My father had bad dreams the rest of his life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thank you for sharing your photos. I'm tearing up - I can't imagine how emotional it must be when you are actually there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TammyinTN Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thank you both for sharing your pictures. I watched the special last night and these men endured so much...they definitely were the greatest generation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
love2travel Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Thank you for sharing your photos. I had no idea the beaches were so wide. Wow. That brings a whole new level of understanding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 This is dd and her grandfather at Omaha beach. His dad participated in D-Day. He passed away a week before dd was born. My Grandfathers were not there. One was a radio operator in a bomber and the other drove a tank in Patton's third amy. He was too young for DDay but arrived after that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.