[Malachai Constant]

This is a rather somber hike, especially in wartime. The beach is beautiful but you cannot help but think of every inch was paid for by the sacrifice of the brave. Above the beach is their final resting place. Unlike what we are told the French are still appreciative and the area is visited by many school groups. The was talk of how a couple graves had been vandalized and immediately cleaned up. We were told that people there were ashamed of that incident and did not want americans to think that was their feeling. Above the beach is the town of Bayeux the first town liberated in June 1944 where they still fly British and American flags. There we saw the Bayeux tapestry which rationalized William I's invasion of England in 1066. It is sad how little things have changed in nearly a thousand years.

ohmbecem

ohmbeach

[catwoman]

What state, country, or continent is this?

[MCaver]

You haven't heard of Omaha Beach? France, D-Day, World War II.

[Larry]

Thanks, MCaver. That was a nice introspective about Omaha Beach.

[MCaver]

The above introspective was from Malachai Constant, not me. The credit is all his, and very well done.

[catwoman]

Hmmmm. Not sure I'll be getting there anytime soon. Probably wouldn't be counted as a NW trip report, eh?!

[guest 1]

We have been there and it truly takes your breath away. My husband is in the military and we went there a week after he returned from a 6 month deployment. The French gave America the land for the cemetary sort of as a thank you for all we did. I think that says a lot.

[rubberlegs]

Hey Malcon, did you happen to get to the WWII museum in Caen? It's the best museum of any kind I've ever seen. Very powerful experience.

[Malachai Constant]

The museum was a major objective but it was too late in the day. It takes a long time to do it justice.

[Mike Collins]

Chatfemme is correct by narrow definition. This is not a PACIFIC northwest topic. But Omaha Beach is in the nord ouest of France so by broader definition is open for discussion in this forum. I was amazed at how expansive the beaches are at low tide but even more so when I envisioned the Rangers climbing the cliffs to the bunkers above the beach. One of my patients told me he was with the army corps of engineers and he went in the night before the invasion to place charges on some of the obstacles placed in the water.

[Dante]