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The American Cemetery on Omaha Beach is one of the most emotional/amazing places I have ever been to. My amazing hosts Arnaud and Manon drove me there my first day in Caen. When you walk into the visitor center you are instantly taken back to that D-Day and get to see all the history that led up to this amazing point in history. They have an amazing video that shows you some of the soldiers stories and then it leads you to the main information area that tells you everything you would want to know about D-Day.
Then you walk up to the cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, it really is a magnificent/tragic sight. You instantly see thousands and thousands of white marble cross headstones. There is really utter silence throughout the cemetery even with around one hundred people walking through it. I started to walk through the cemetery and you start to read some of the headstones, Texas, Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California then it hits you that this was just a massive force of people giving their lives to take this now beautiful and serene beach.
I was able to find the headstones of the Niland brothers, the story of Private Ryan. That was amazing to think about the story and look at the beach now, then walk down there onto the beach and envision what that day was like. You see these impossible to climb cliffs that leave you as a sitting duck for German fighters to just shoot fish in a barrel. This really was an amazing feat the American soldiers had to overcome to take this beach and help change history forever. Absolutely amazing place to go visit.
The next day we went to Mont St. Michel and this was really an interesting structure in the middle of the ocean. It looks great from the outside, but when you get in it's a maze of tourist trap shops and cafes, but it looks cool. I took a bunch of pics.
Today, I am of to the French Rivera and gonna be soaking up the sun and may even say hello to the prince of Monaco… we will see don't know if I will have enough time for him. I will really be thinking about you all back home while I am there. The white sandy beaches the warm air the cool water and amazing tan lines. Hope you are having a great time at work. ::: )
Enjoy
Kevin
PS
I am writing this in a castle in Caen next to a playground and a bunch of kids just came in so I am outa here. It really is amazing how excited you are at a young age to see a bridge made of rope and wood and play on it. Its amazing how we evolve in life…
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Uncle Neil & Auntie Denie & your Cousins Can't even imagine how it would take your breath away to see the very spot it all happened. Makes you want to hug a vet and thank them for our freedom! Thank god for them and all they did! I think you would have played on that bridge if one of our boys were their with you !!!!!!! We can't wait to go over all of this trip and look at pictures with you and hear you tell us about it. DeNeila's grad party was fun, we missed you! the DJ was the same as last year. We have him for next year so you and your cousins can sing and dance together!!!! It rained a little but was a great day. We have had alot of rain this summer ! Lots of cutting grass , but I haven't had to water my flowers as much. I bet you have seen some beautiful flowers. Love your updates, keep them coming. Stay safe we keep you in our prayers We love you xoxoxoxoxoxo
Dad DIDDOS to Neil&Desee's comments below. Glad you saw were some our American heros saved our world and freedom. It is truly holy ground! You made a fine choice to go there. Carry on...remember who 'loves ya'!