Circumstances in life have made me appreciate our freedoms over the years . . . I get it now. Sean's time with
The Big Red One will always be some of the most memorable years of my life. As some know today marks the 68th anniversary of the storming of the beaches of Normandy . . . D-Day. Two years ago, Colin and I took a trip to the Normandy region of France. I can say that it was probably the most memorable and emotional trip I have ever taken. Just standing on the beaches where so many young kids died was a little overwhelming. There was no possible way to visualize what these kids experienced when they landed . . .
So many never made it back to the United States . . .
. . . but what a beautiful cemetery and final resting place. I wonder how many families went to France to see where their child was buried? Colin was only 6 when we went, and he did not understand what he was seeing, but every week he checks out a book from the library about WWII or Pearl Harbor; he became curious and remembers some of the trip. Someday I will take him back, and he will appreciate the sacrifices those men made . . . he will understand that those beaches aren't for playing but so much history lies in that sand and so much was lost there too. Someday . . .
I wrote about our trip on the other blog if you care to read it and see photos.
Day 1,
Day 2,
Day 3
June 6, 2005: I was back in Germany for the dedication of the 1ID Monument . . .
It has now moved to Kansas . . . not the same but glad it is out and not in a warehouse! There is also a smaller version that the Germans let stay behind . . . glad about that as we thought of Germany as our second home. The Big Red One will always be remembered on June 6 . . . so much history to be forgotten. And just as we were able to walk the beaches of D-Day, I am hopeful that some day I can walk the streets of Iraq where Colin and I lost so much!
