DAY 5 – REMEMBERING THE GLORY OF THEIR SPIRIT

Today is June 5 – and tomorrow is D-Day, the remembrance of when in WWII the Allies invaded Normandie. So today Sandrine and I went to the Normandie beaches and U.S. Military cemetery. The closest beach happens to be Utah Beach. It’s a cool day – overcast with strong breezes, and the water is churning and whitecapped. There are a few statues of American Soldiers as we walk to the beach – and there’s a solemnity in the air. There’s a Roosevelt Café here —because at the time France was occupied by Germans, and they didn’t know how they would be able to turn things around. D-Day changed everything, and they celebrate Americans for this.

            We then head over to Omaha Beach – which is a memorial and cemetery. Sandrine tells me that the French Government gave this land to America – so I’m literally stepping on American soil. The magnitude of D-Day really hits you here. There are 9,388 American Soldiers buried here. 9,388 that never made it home. 9,388 Americans that paid the ultimate price for freedom on that one day. One day.

            The crosses marking each soldier are lined up perfectly, so that not only every single row is in perfect alignment – but as you walk along, each aligns perfectly diagonally also. It is the precision you expect from our military – and it’s executed flawlessly.

            The cemetery is right at the beach, so as you walk along the path the graves of the soldiers stretch out to your left and the English Channel stretches out to your right. It’s peaceful, even with many visitors for D-Day around. And occasionally an old military plane will fly low overhead, preparing for tomorrow’s festivities. French President Macron will be in attendance, for the 79^th Anniversary of D-Day.

            As we continue walking, there is a small building – on its wall is inscribed: “Think not only upon their passing. Remember the Glory of their Spirit.” Elsewhere is inscribed: “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”

            That sums up military service for me. How grateful I am for the brave men & women who have fought and continue to fight so that I can enjoy the freedom of being an American.