We visited Omaha Beach and the American cemetery, the site of the D-Day landings on a gloomy and drizzly day. It seemed appropriate for the experience. Before coming here it didn’t really hit me how many young people gave up their own futures so that we could have one, and went off to a place where they knew no one thousands of miles from their own homes that at that time were not actually threatened. At the same time I’m thinking about the fires close to our home and just a tiny taste of what it might feel like to be endangered. The people of Europe were suffering immeasurably and Americans helped relieve their suffering.
The artist of “The Braves” wrote: I created this sculpture to honor the courage of these men: sons, husbands, fathers, who endangered and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of freeing the French people.The Wings of Hope so that the spirit which carried these men on June 6, 1944 continues to inspire us, reminding us that together it is always possible to change the future. So that the example of those who rose against barbarity, helps us remain standing strong against all forms of inhumanity. So that this surge of brotherhood always reminds us of our responsibility towards others as well as ourselves. On June 6, 1944 these men were more than soldiers, they were our brothers.
I’m struck by what war has meant for this part of the world. William the Conquerer started 400 years of bloody conflict with Britain.
At the Visitor Center at the American Cemetery
Anitore Banon, “The Braves”, installed 2004
close up of sculpture
Looking up from the beach it looks quite benign but imagine coming off the beach with no cover and having to scale those hills from which Germans were shooting down on them. Many people died before getting off the beach.
A model showing the landing
The cemetery is now on top of the hill they scaled to move on to Bayeux, the first town liberated.
Rows and rows, it’s very peaceful up here on top of that hill.
There are 9000 buried here, those whose families preferred them to be buried with their comrades rather than be brought home.
The Jewish graves have stones which is a traditional marker when one visits a Jewish grave. We placed stones on some of the ones that didn’t have them though stones were hard to find in such an immaculate site.
Four German casements built to guard against seaborne attacks were part of 15,000 that stretched from Norway to the Pyrenees.
These are the only ones remaining and they could hit targets up to 12 miles away.
They were so well camouflaged that attempts to destroy them were difficult though they eventually were.
Just imagine the terrain that soldiers had to traverse on their way inland.
This communication lookout was a few hundred yards closer to the water and sent relays back to the guns by wire.
From around the bend of the lookout you can look north and see the remains of Winston Harbor. So you can imagine they had to take out those guns.
A Russian cannon from World War I that the Germans were also using. Looks like a toy compared to the large gun.
As you drive through the countryside there are these poster sized photographs showing “then” and this is now. The British built bypass roads so they would avoid the little villages and these are the main roads through this area now. These posters are a reminder to all of us. The people of this region don’t need reminders but do so anyway.
Poetry Without Words 