Camping in Normandy

Normandy is an experience that no one should miss out on. It is simply amazing what so many men did for France and our country in the name of Freedom. I was not able to see half of the things that I wanted to get to. But I will go again. We started out a Pointe Du Hoc. It is where a group of Army Rangers tried to climb the Cliffs in between Utah Beach and Omaha. However they were discovered as they climbed and the Germans started to shoot them off the Cliffs. It is so sobering seeing the intense cliffs that they had before them and I can only imagine what must have been going threw the head of the men while they bullets were flying and men were falling. The Craters that have been formed in the ground from all the bombs that we dropped are simply intense. It is completely torn up ground. And how amazing that so many men gave everything so that we do not live in a Communist world!

As we drove we came on this Angel. It is the Angel of Peace and is simply Beautiful! The Church is in the town of Sainte Mere Englise. Just outside of the city is where so many men from the 101st Airborne were dropped. A man and I wish I knew who he was dropped and his parachute was caught on the side of the building. He was shot in the leg but had to hang there for hours pretending he was dead so that the Germans did not shoot him again. Soon his unit came by and he had them get him off the building. But they had to switch him out for a dummy. They said that it was the original dummy that was hanging on the building...but I am skeptical. All across the town were people who dressed up in War attire. So many people have restored old Humvee and Wheelies. It was impressive how many people come out just for this celebration.

Our uys were able to dropin on the origonal Iron Mike Drop Zone. It was quite a sight. So many men jumped in on Sunday the 8th. I do not know all the details from the DZ, but one of the pilots was Iron Mike and I guess he dropped the most men at this location. It was impressive. However it rained on us all day long. Cade sure was a trooper and stuck it out with me. I say it all added to the experience that happened 65 years ago.

The last place that we were able to go was the American Cemetery. It is humbling to see just how far this cemetery goes. So many...9,036 in all. And there are so many that are not named, simply known only to God. It can make even the toughest man cry for the incredible loss of life. It is right above Omaha Beach. And you get a real sense of what it must have been like for the men. It was an amazing camping trip. One I will never forget. I will always be grateful for the Men and Women past and present who fight so bravely so that I can be warm in my house holding my baby in peace this evening. Thank you all.