The Beaches of Normandy

We were both very moved by a trip to the beaches of Normandy, specifically Omaha Beach and Point Du Hoc. This otherwise average French coastline was hallowed by the sacrifice of thousands of Allied troops in the June 6, 1944 attack on German-occupied France: D-Day. Surely D-Day is one of the most famous days of WWII, but the events of that day shaped the war. And the war shaped the destinies of nations and millions of people, from the U.S. to Europe, from Russia, to Japan.

Both of Josh's grandfathers served in D-Day. One of Lindsey's maternal grandfather was a doctor in the U.S. Army. Lindsey paternal grandfather was still young at the time, but his parents (her grandparents) were part of the French resistence in Paris and both paid the ultimate price in their efforts to rid France of Nazi tyranny.

The weather when we visited was unforgettable: wind so strong it was difficult to stand up straight. And the day itself was unforgetable. We will always remember our visit. And the sacrifices of so many who gave their all. Remarkable.