Don & Karen Bushman: Beaches of Normandy

We visited the Beaches of Normandy. We learned a lot of history of World War II. It was a sobering day.

The Memorial for World War I and World War II

We arrived at the Memorial early so that we could avoid the crowds. When we got there groups of men and women were gathering in the plaza in front of the Memorial. They were all wearing yellow
biking uniforms with the words, "Ride for Recovery" on the back. They were all Americans and they were all veterans of either the Iraq or Afghanistan Wars and all had been injured in some way.

These men and women were gathering for a kickoff on a five day bicycle ride through France. They were the only group of riders that were going to be allowed to join the Tour de France for one day. Some of them didn't have any legs and were riding special bicycles that they used their arms to peddle them.

There were many French officials in attendance and they held a kickoff ceremony for the riders.

During the ceremony the American Flag, the French Flag and the British Flags were all raised and the National Anthem was played for each country. It was very touching to us to be standing there on French Soil and hear the National Anthem played and watch the veterans salute the flag.

Inside the memorial. This is a wedding dress made out of the parachute that was used during the invasion.

Bomber plane hanging in memorial

Don in front of World War II jeep

Memorial at Juno Beach

It is hard to imagine that somewhere so peaceful could be the scene of so much destruction.

Omaha Beach -- The Americans landed on Omaha Beach and Utah Beach

Memorial Statue on Omaha Beach

We were impressed that where there was a Jewish Soldier buried, they marked the spot with a Star of David instead of a cross.

There were many crosses for unknown soldiers

Of course, we didn't walk by all of the crosses, but this is the only one we saw that the soldier's home was in Utah. It is interesting that Karen used to work with a Jeff Carter who has a son by the name of William. We wonder if there is a connection.

In this cemetary which are all American soldiers, there are 9,387 headstones. All of these soldiers were killed during the invasion. Many of the killed were returned to the United States to be buried, but these are the ones that the families decided to leave them in France. Of the 9,387 headstones 149 have the Star of David on them. The cemetary covers 172.5 acres. There were also 1,557 Americans recorded as missing in action. There are 41 sets of brothers buried here in this cemetary.