Omaha Beach, Normandy D-Day Memorial!

Ever Forward

Dear Commons Community,

Yesterday, we spent the day touring the American D-Day Memorial sites in Normandy. Anybody who had anyone connected to the war in Europe will be moved by what they see. Utah Beach, Point du Hoc and of course Omaha Beach where there were an estimated 10,000 American casualties. Estimated because those missing in action are still being found. In 2009, Sgt. John Simonetti from Queens, New York was the last MIA to be found. Ten percent of the American casualties at Omaha Beach were from New York. Another ten percent were from Pennsylvania.

Ever Forward, the bronze statue above sits at the entrance of Omaha Beach. It depicts well the story of an American infantryman trying to save a fallen comrade.

The Obelisk at Point du Hoc is in memory of the American Rangers who made up the first advance unit and who were to scale the cliffs between Utah and Omaha Beaches. 225 rangers landed, of which there were 135 casualties.

The Memorial Cemetery is a place of serenity. The thousands of crosses in neat rows and on a finely-kept lawn bring tears to one’s eyes. At 5:00 pm every evening, taps are played as the American flags are lowered. Everybody is quiet, hats come off, people stand and watch and honor those buried here. A most appropriate way to spend our Memorial Day Weekend as I thought about two of my uncles John and Anthony DeMichele, both of whom were in Normandy in World War II.

Tony

Obelisk at Point du Hoc