france - larry's day 10

My Day 9 was not a good one - I had a nasty intestinal bug that got me in the morning and then again in the evening. I decided that it would be best to stay close to the hotel on Day 10. I was really disappointed to miss going to the D-Day beaches, one of the main reasons we took this trip, but I really had no other choice. I handed Larry the camera and told him to bring back a full report of his day. He did.

Starting on the eastern edge of the 45-mile stretch of landing beaches, this is Juno beach, where the Canadians landed on June 6, 1944. Even today, the beaches are still referred to by their code names.

This stone marker identifies the departure ports and landing sites of the various troops:

This memorial plaque recognizes the 2nd Rangers, who scaled 100 foot cliffs, expecting to find a battery of German artillery. The Germans were there, but the artillery had been delayed and was still a mile away. In the ensuing battle, 90 Rangers were not killed or wounded; 225 had gone in.

Giant craters, 20 feet wide and 8 feet deep, caused by the artillery, are still evident:

This is a position made ready for German guns that never arrived:

A German pill box:

Omaha Beach, as it looks today:

The American cemetery is maintained in pristine condition by the French, in gratitude for the sacrifices of the American soldiers to liberate France:

Larry left a rose at the grave of Pvt. Taylor. My mother's maiden name was Taylor, and while Pvt. Taylor was not a relative, we will be forever grateful for his service.