Travel Journal Notes from D-Day Sites

  The following is what I wrote in my travel journal on March 16, 2013 when we visited the D-Day beaches and cemetery in Normandy, France. I jotted down what we'd seen and heard while at this historic spot where the battle that turned the war, allowing the allies to liberate France from German occupation and to move on to other fronts in this final year of WWII. 

I hope writers, and others, will help keep these memories alive for the younger generations and those yet to come. It's history and important to the freedom our country has. 

What I wrote in my travel journal...

Today was our full day visiting the D-Day sights on the channel coast in Normandy. We left the ship at 8 a.m on a bus. The weather was no better than it has been all week. Wet, cold, and extremely windy. But on with the show! Our program director, Isabelle, is so knowledgeable and a delightful young woman. Not so young as she has recently become a grandmere! But she looks very young. She is our guide for many sights but for some of the city tours and this special one today, we have had special guides who are filled with information but able to parse it out in doses that can be absorbed easily. Today, the guide was a woman named Claire.

Our first stop was at an area that still has the pillboxes that the German gunners holed up in, shooting at the Allied forces who were landing. Some of the remains of the huge guns they used are still there. We walked over a wet, marshy field to reach these areas, slipping and sliding in mud and snow. Yes, snow which is seldom seen in these parts. Lucky us! We experienced it 3 days this week!

Then it was on to Arromanches near the Gold Beach, where the British landed on June 6, 1944. Ken and I still observe the day by proudly flying our flag at home. Sadly, many young people in our country have no idea what D-Day means nor its major significance. The French people still hail it as one of the greatest days ever!

The American Military Cemetery came next. Walking though the well-kept, perfectly manicured grounds brought silence to our group. Over 9,300 servicemen and 4 women are buried there. We participated in a short ceremony. The group faced a wildly whipping American flag, hands over our hearts, as the national anthem was played followed by volleys and Taps. It brought a lump to my throat and tears trickled down my cheeks. I'm seriously patriotic and these things get me every time. Ken and I walked to the beach and looked out on the quiet waters trying to imagine what it was like that day so many years ago. The guide told us of one visitor who had been master of one of the landing barges. He said it held 32 men and 31 were seasick. They all landed covered in vomit. And yet, they landed and moved on to do the job they were sent for.

Two more stops at Omaha Beach concluded our day. So many memories, so much meaning. Somehow, the cold, wind and occasional rain faded away with all that we'd seen

Tomorrow, we will explore this coastal town of Honfleur.

By Nancy Julien Kopp Nancy - March 16, 2013 (original) 

An Experience To Remember

I take issue with the phrase Happy Memorial Day because there is little 'happy' about it. It's a time to honor our fallen military men and women and to honor those who have served and still serve today. I was reminded of a wonderful experience Ken and I had a number of years ago during the Iraq War. Today, as we head into Memorial Day weekend, I am sharing it with you. Enjoy your family and friends this weekend but remember what it is we are to remember. Patriotism On Parade By Nancy Julien Kopp The hotel ballroom buzzed with music, conversation, and laughter. Military dress uniforms and ball gowns added to the festive air of the evening. My husband, Ken, and I were the only civilians out of more than four hundred attending the Kodiak Ball honoring the 70th Engineer Battalion. The men and women in the battalion, stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, returned only weeks earlier after serving a full year in Iraq. On this night, they gathered with spouses and dates to celebrate their homecoming, their survival, and the joy of being an American. The soldiers requested that our church send someone to receive thanks and appreciation for the support of one company within the battalion, and we were pleased to be the representatives from St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. The congregation adopted Charlie Company upon their deployment in March of 2003. For the year they served in Iraq, members of the church mailed letters, birthday cards, and packages to the men who soon became “our soldiers.” We sent Christmas cards to the nearly one hundred members of Charlie Company, kept them in our prayers, and eagerly waited news about them. Members dropped monetary donations into a pair of shiny Army boots placed in the narthex of the church. The money allowed items like socks and other necessities along with some little touches of home like gum and candies to be shipped overseas. A line of love and pride between the members of the church and the soldiers grew strong and steady as the year progressed. Tonight both the battalion commander and commander of Charlie Company greeted us. They clasped our hands and thanked us for all the support they’d received. Both men spoke with sincerity that was further mirrored in their eyes and warm handshake. From then on, other soldiers and spouses approached us, introduced themselves as members of Charlie Company, and offered us heartfelt thanks and appreciation for all the church members had done for them. One officer remarked, “We expect support from our families, but when it comes from perfect strangers, it means a great deal to us.” Another commented that the caring and concern shown them seemed almost overwhelming at times, but it made their job easier knowing people at home supported them. With each introduction and conversation, my pride in our country and the men who served in her armed forces grew steadily stronger. I marveled at the many men and women who volunteered to serve their country. No draft board tapped them on the shoulder and handed them marching orders. These soldiers chose to serve with a pride, love, and belief in America. The evening provided many emotional moments including a Table Of Remembrance ceremony to honor fallen comrades. The ballroom lights dimmed, and a spotlight centered on a table set for one. A soldier’s solemn voice related the symbolism of each item on the table in a somber tribute. A moment of silence followed, a moment needed by many to swallow the lump in the throat and wipe away a fallen tear. Two movie screens placed at opposite sides of the ballroom flashed pictures of the 70th Engineer Battalion going about their everyday jobs in Iraq. Poignant as well as humorous moments captured on film showed a side of the military not often reported in newspapers. These were Americans who had a sensitive side, could put a comic slant on serious moments, and portrayed a fine work ethic learned in various parts of America during their growing-up years. After dinner, the battalion commander asked Ken and I to come forward to accept a framed Certificate of Appreciation for the church. The soldiers offered us a standing ovation. We returned to our table with cheers and applause ringing in our ears. Never have I felt so much appreciation, warmth, and pleasure. No matter what one feels about the right or wrong of the war in Iraq, be proud of the men and women who answered the call to represent America. They are your sons and daughters, your brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews. Support them in every possible way. Before this special evening ended, it was our turn to voice heartfelt thanks to the soldiers and their families. We spoke for many Americans as we expressed our appreciation for their service. A full moon lit the way to our car. I told my husband that this would be a night we would long remember. It wasn’t only the moon that was glowing tonight. 2004 Published at www.2theheart.com