Normandy Landing Beaches and The American Cemetery

Here Rests in Honored Glory

A Comrade In Arms

Known But To God

The American Cemetery is actually on American soil. The land was a gift to the US from the French government. This place is so serene -- other than the voices of others along the pathways, I only heard birds singing. It is difficult to imagine the terror that took place here on the bluff that overlooks Omaha Beach seventy years ago this month.

Omaha Beach. Over 34,000 landed on this beach, and the casualties here were the highest of all of the landing beaches.

Inside the Chapel:

"I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH"

This beautiful mosaic is on the ceiling of the chapel. I love how the woman (representing la France, perhaps France's symbolic Marianne) is caring for the dead soldier.

Soldiers visiting the cemetery.

The Star of David were on many of the gravesites. One of the things I noticed when looking at the grave markers was that it gave the name and rank of the soldier, as well as their home state and date of death, but did not show their birth date. I can only imagine how young many of them were.

This sculpture represents the soldier reaching heavenward. You can read, near his right hand, "Freedom is Forever"

At the feet of the sculpture, there were many floral arrangements. This simple note reads: "Thanks so much to all of you."