Gratitude Apparent
Reaching skyward, in Argoville, Normandy France, this memorial to two U.S. Medics who set up treatment services in a nearby church is one of many established to recognize the United States Armed Forces and Allies campaign to liberate France.
Some memorials have been made to individual soldiers whose courage and bravery displaced despair. Assembled by local citizens, the memorials are well tended and reflect deep local respect and gratitude.
Perhaps one of the most chilling reminders of the Paratroopers landing is this recreation of John Marvin Steele's perch on the church at Ste Mere-Eglise. Inside the church a stained glass window now includes the Airborne Regiment logo and paratrooper. The Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) liberated the first Normandy village June 6, 1944.
Inside Ste Mere-Eglise. The U.S. Airborne emblem is at the top of the redesigned window. The entire city is a living history museum including three extensive indoor exhibitions to the airborne operations of D Day.
So simply, yet poignantly stated: THE BEGINNING. In the early hours before D Day landings at the Allies 5 beach heads, Parachute Infantry Regiment 507 82nd Airborne Division dropped into their pivotal role in opening northern Europe to the Allies advance in ending the war in April 1945.
Signs of gratitude appeared in shop windows. People still communicate a legacy of friendship. 2019 is the 75th Anniversary of D Day. Veterans of that campaign are few. Through the lens of our informed, passionate and articulate guide, we experienced what no book, film or display could alone give depth to: The enormous displacement of "normal" life which the French incurred years before the D Day. The details of occupation between 1939 and 1944 lend great insight into the sacrifices of freedom made in preparing German defenses along the Normandy coast. Further revelation of the logistical history in supporting the D Day landings and ongoing supply demands for 100,000 plus troops is staggering. PLUTO itself is a modern marvel: Pipeline Under The Ocean, the fuel artery delivering gasoline from Britain to France. Pulling Mulberry Bridge sections from England to the beach heads, using Canadian Tug Boats is another marvel of might, and clandestine movements.
All these maneuvers were accomplished without satellites, cell phones or GPS. Pausing to reflect on the scope of what D Day required to succeed gave this writer a renewed sense of gratitude to the Greatest Generation, and inspiration toward the betterment of the next.
History can come alive, and be relevant beyond imagination. Curiosity and a great guide are waiting to take you back, and into the future.
