Today we commemorate the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings. On June 6,
1944, the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi
power.
In August 2007, I was privileged to stand on Omaha Beach on a
misty, overcast morning not unlike the men faced that historic day. As I stood
on that long stretch of sand and gazed at those high bluffs which once bristled
with machine guns, I was moved deeply. We've all seen the movies and watched the
footage - men dashing with rifles in hand, stumbling in the waves, beckoning
their buddies onward, sheltering against debris - falling to the sand. But being
there and feeling that sand beneath my feet gave me another level of
understanding.
Today the Normandy beaches bristle with people on holiday - those who come
to remember, and those who come to play. Children laugh and chase the waves and
build sand castles. Tourists stand in silence, wipe tears, take pictures. This
is as it should be.
Sixty-nine years ago, 155,000 American, British
Commonwealth, and Free French troops landed in the biggest amphibious operation
in history, along with free people from many other occupied nations. Take a
moment today and remember those who risked their lives, who gave their lives so
we can live in freedom.
Beautiful post, Sarah! My WIP is nearing the D-Day exercises that eventually lead into Operation Overlord. The more research I do on this mission I learn and see a little more into the emotions those men must have felt. My husband's grandfather was part of the 29th Infantry Division, one of the first who landed on Omaha Beach that morning. He survived, and upon arriving back in the states, buried his gun somewhere in town.
Sarah, Thanks for sharing. I always thought my dad came in on D Day, but he told my hubby that it was a day or two later. Regardless, scary stuff--and I'm awfully glad he came home--and proud of him and all the infantry for serving!
Beautiful post, Sarah! My WIP is nearing the D-Day exercises that eventually lead into Operation Overlord. The more research I do on this mission I learn and see a little more into the emotions those men must have felt. My husband's grandfather was part of the 29th Infantry Division, one of the first who landed on Omaha Beach that morning. He survived, and upon arriving back in the states, buried his gun somewhere in town.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel! And thanks for sharing your family story. That's funny about the buried gun...makes you want to do a treasure hunt, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteSarah, Thanks for sharing. I always thought my dad came in on D Day, but he told my hubby that it was a day or two later. Regardless, scary stuff--and I'm awfully glad he came home--and proud of him and all the infantry for serving!
ReplyDeleteCarrie - June 7 wasn't that much safer than June 6 :) I'm glad he came home too.
ReplyDeleteHere a little late, but enjoyed this poignant post. My great-uncle was there and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, later taken as a POW.
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