Normandy

Le Havre

As I mentioned yesterday, we changed our excursion to D-Day Beaches due to concerns of what we actually would be able to see in Paris with Bastille Day festivities and President Trump's visit.

The morning started out with a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. About 73,000 US soldiers landed on D-Day, along with British and Canadians about 83,000, in total about 300,000 took part in D-Day land and sea operations. The D in D day, simply stands for Day and then they counted such as D Day 1, 2, 3, etc. It was amazing,  moving, humbling, and many more adjectives to be here today. The American cemetery is run by and cared for by the United States and I am grateful for France allowing the US this sacred soil where so many young people gave the ultimate sacrifice, their lives. As my mom land dad said it, Freedom is not free and thankfully we have so many service members willing to serve to keep our freedom.

General Eisenhower was in charge of everything. 

Ages of those killed ranged from 17-61 with the average age 23. If I understood it correctly, family members were able to choose to have their loved one buried in this cemetery or they could have their loved ones flown home. I think they said about 40% of those US killed in this area are laid to rest here. I did find several from PA and many who were killed on Day 1.

We also went to Omaha Beach and to pay tribute to those killed.

We went to see about a 1,000 year old tapestry which depicted the history of Norman conquest of England and also Notre Dame cathedral...in Bayeux not Paris. We also had a nice pizza lunch and Bryan got to ride a train around Bayeux.

We have just left port headed for Southampton 

and then home (after a 1 day stay in London. So...Cherrio until the next McCarthy adventure! Thanks Mrs. Mortel for doing all the arrangements!