June 6, 1944, seventy-six years ago today Allied forces landed in Normandy, France to begin the liberation of Western Europe.  Troops involved in the invasion were principally from the United States, Great Britain and Canada.  Operation Overlord, the code name for the invasion, was the largest amphibious invasion ever attempted.  It led to the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of the war in Europe less than one year later.

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German observation post at Pointe du Hoc

Today it is seems almost beyond belief that only 75 years ago, less than one lifetime, almost all of Europe was locked in a war on land, at sea, and in the air that killed millions.  Through their service and sacrifice, soldiers and civilians (our parents, grandparents and great grandparents) who were involved in that war were able to  preserve freedom and save the world from tyranny and genocide.  Events like the Normandy Invasion must be remembered and commemorated lest they need to be repeated.

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Monument on Omaha Beach to the U. S. First Infantry Division (the Big Red One) and the 116th Regimental Combat Team of the 29th Infantry Division.

In 2017, I visited Normandy and some of the historic sites related to the invasion including Omaha Beach, Pointe du Hoc, and American Cemetery No. 1.

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Gold Beach and remnants of the artificial harbor constructed for landing supplies.

Below are the posts from that moving journey.  It seems appropriate to republish them today.

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Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer

WWII Normandy Invasion Tour – Pointe du Hoc

WWII Normandy Invasion Tour – Omaha Beach

WWII Normandy Invasion Tour – The Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer

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Sculpture “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” at the Normandy American Cemetery.