Ok, so I was having issues with internet service but in a nut shell from last Monday until yesterday here is a brief compilation of my trip:
Map at D-Day Allied Headquarters
Arrival in France!
St Mere Eglise - Hundreds of refurbished allied military vehicles and people in era uniforms. The folks in Europe have not forgotten as we have.
Utah Beach - Corporal Woodrow Griffey came ashore here 7/26/44, never to return home.
The remnants of the British portable harbor at Arromanches.
View from the top of Pointe du Hoc.
Memorial at Omaha Beach.
Omaha Beach
Museum for the British Airborne units that took Pegasus Bridge.
Visit to the D-Day Memorial Museum in Bayonne.
Entrance to American Military Cemetary Epinal, France
Driving into the cemetery.
In honor and memoriam to the Uncle I never met - Woodrow Griffey, Corporal, 5th Armored Division, 85th Recon. Squadron (Mech.), Troop C. On top are his purple heart and a bottle of sand from Utah Beach. Sand from Omaha Beach, provided by cemetery staff, was used to make the type on the headstone easier to read. The flags were also provided by the cemetery staff.
Epinal American Cemetery
Epinal American Cemetery.
Near Sedan / Vivier-au-Court, France were my uncle gave the ultimate sacrifice.
It has been a remarkable, memorable, and enjoyable trip in many ways - from the living veterans I met, the civilians who take great care to remember and who have not forgotten, the site visits, and the memorial services.
