From Paris to Normandy...

Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2009 - Photos taken Monday and Tuesday.

We are supporting the rail system in Europe! We caught our umpteenth train on Monday, in Paris, on our way for a two day tour of the D-Day Beaches at Normandy. We stopped in Caen (Kon) and rented a car with another ‘Margaret’ (GPS) which got minimal use. Our World War II aficionado (Ginny) rode shotgun with the map, giving her brother instructions on where she wanted to go.

We stopped first at our next B&B “La Foulerie” in the French countryside (literally) near Cahagnes (Ka-han-ya). The instructions were to “turn on the street across from the dairy” - the “street’ was actually a lane, wide enough for one car, between two pastures. But what a pleasant surprise awaited us as we drove through the garden gate.

The stone house was only one of two, in the area, that had survived the invasion of Normandy. We were sorry that our NC Gorrells weren’t with us - they would have enjoyed the resplendent flower gardens, as did we, that surrounded the house. (This was the first place, on the entire trip, where we have had washcloths.)

After unloading our backpacks, we headed out to find the places that Ginny (and Bob) were anxious to see. We stopped, first, at Omaha Beach where the American Cemetery is located. The white marble crosses, many with the inscription “Here lies in honored glory, A Comrade in Arms, known only to God”, were lined up in perfect rows from any direction. Two American flags, fluttering in the cool breeze at the entrance to the cemetery, stood watch over the 10,000 + graves.

The Memorial, shown below, lists names of those Americans missing in action from this phase of the war. The church bells ring, every hour, and chimes play familiar hymns. It is a very moving tribute to those that gave their lives on these beaches.

The three of us, with the cemetery as a backdrop. (Jackets required in July.)

Two American flags, standing at attention, over the graves of our men. This area of France flies many 'Stars and Stripes' in recognition of the sacrifice of many on their behalf.

The grave of Teddy Roosevelt, Jr. - one of three Brigadier Generals buried in this cemetery. He died 6 weeks after the invasion, but requested that he be buried "with his men". Approximately 40% of the men killed during the invasion are buried here - the remaining 60% were returned to the U.S.