(September 7, 2025 – Normandy Landing Beaches)
After a night of sleep, we were up and off the boat early in Le Havre, since we had a very full day visiting the Normandy Landing Beaches. We had a little over two hour drive before arriving at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.
To say this was a sobering experience would be an understatement. It is similar to visiting Arlington National Cemetery, but when you consider it contains the graves of the 9,389 men who lost their lives during the D-Day landings and ensuing operations on the Normandy beaches in the area, it somehow feels different.
As you enter the cemetery, you walk along a path on the cliffs above the beach. After a short walk, there is an orientation table showing the various beach landings.
As you turn and walk away from the water, at the top of the path and stairs you arrive to the sight of the endless graves stretched out over the 172.5 acres of the cemetery.
Our tour was timed so we could attend a wreath laying at a memorial in a semicircular colonnade with a bronze statue called the Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves. The statue was titled as such, since those who died here were in their late teens to early twenties.
The ceremony consisted of four parts: the playing of the U.S. national anthem, laying of the wreath, playing of Taps, and then having a moment of silence. I’m not typically a very emotional person, but when Taps was played, tears were shed, as I had several different emotions and thoughts running through my mind.
Just outside the semicircular colonnade, there is an area known as the Walls of the Missing. This wall contains the names of the 1,557 men who are missing or never identified. Rosettes mark the names of those men who have since been recovered or identified.
The pictures above and the one below show the views of the water leading to and from the main part of the cemetery.
Walking around the cemetery provided a time to reflect and gave an even greater appreciation for the men who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.
The pictures below are of the chapel and chapel ceiling located at the far end of the cemetery opposite the bronze statue and semicircular colonnade.
After our time at the cemetery, we visited Omaha Beach which was one of five beach landings on June 6, 1944 also known as D-Day. Over 34,000 Americans came ashore on Omaha Beach. That day, the Allies suffered over 10,300 total casualties, and approximately 2,400 of them were on Omaha Beach.
As a tribute to the Allies who came ashore that day, a sculpture named Les Braves was unveiled on the 60th anniversary of D-Day.
When we left Omaha Beach, we made our way to the German battery of Longues-sur-Mer. It is the only battery remaining in Normandy that still has its original guns. The Germans had a firing range up to nine miles using these guns, but the Allied forces prevailed, and the battery was captured on June 7th.
For our last stop of the day, we visited Arromanches-les-Bains. It was here where a Mulberry Harbor was installed. This artificial port allowed the Allies to disembark 9,000 tons of material per day. Here are some images of what still remains.
During our stop in Arromanches-les-Bains, Pops wanted to sample their crepes, and I opted for a beer before wandering around the streets for a little bit.
When we returned to the boat, it was time for dinner and some beautiful views of the night sky.
Off to our next stop: Rouen. Stay tuned…….