BY JANET STEINBERG
A cruise
aboard Silversea’s Silver Whisper planned a shore excursion that enabled us to
relive one of the most historic events of World War II. Departing the
pier in Honfleur, France we drove to the small seaside town of Arromanches via
the D-Day landing beaches of Sword, Juno and Gold.
aboard Silversea’s Silver Whisper planned a shore excursion that enabled us to
relive one of the most historic events of World War II. Departing the
pier in Honfleur, France we drove to the small seaside town of Arromanches via
the D-Day landing beaches of Sword, Juno and Gold.
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ARROMANCHES
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In
Arromanches, we visited the Invasion Museum, dedicated to the largest landing
operation in history…the June 6, 1944 invasion when the Allied forces stormed
the beaches of Normandy to attack the German lines. During our visit, we
saw films and models that re-created the entire operation along the D-Day
beaches.
Arromanches, we visited the Invasion Museum, dedicated to the largest landing
operation in history…the June 6, 1944 invasion when the Allied forces stormed
the beaches of Normandy to attack the German lines. During our visit, we
saw films and models that re-created the entire operation along the D-Day
beaches.
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EXHIBIT IN THE INVASION MUSESUM
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After a typical French lunch at La
Chenevière, a historic chateau located near Omaha Beach, we visited Colleville-sur-Mer,
site of the American Cemetery.
Chenevière, a historic chateau located near Omaha Beach, we visited Colleville-sur-Mer,
site of the American Cemetery.
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LA CHENEVIERE CHATEAU
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The majority
of the nearly 10,000 American soldiers killed at Omaha Beach are buried in this
170-acre cemetery on land given to the United States by France as a token of
her gratitude.
of the nearly 10,000 American soldiers killed at Omaha Beach are buried in this
170-acre cemetery on land given to the United States by France as a token of
her gratitude.
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LES BRAVES
MEMORIAL ON OMAHA BEACH |
Here, 9,386
marble crosses and Stars of David are aligned on a plateau above the beach. A
memorial contains the Tablets of the Missing, and a map outlines the battle
sites of the Normandy beaches.
marble crosses and Stars of David are aligned on a plateau above the beach. A
memorial contains the Tablets of the Missing, and a map outlines the battle
sites of the Normandy beaches.
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9386 CROSSES
AND STARS OF DAVID IN THE AMERICAN CEMETERY |
A Silver
Whisper passenger laid a wreath at the base of the memorial, Taps was played
over the loud speaker, and hundreds of visitors from all over the world stood
with hand over heart as the Americans sang the Star Spangled
Banner.
Whisper passenger laid a wreath at the base of the memorial, Taps was played
over the loud speaker, and hundreds of visitors from all over the world stood
with hand over heart as the Americans sang the Star Spangled
Banner.
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| SILVER WHISPER PASSENGER LAYS A WREATH AT MEMORIAL |
At the
gravesite of Pvt. Raymond Baumgard, my husband recited the Mourner’s Kaddish
to memorialize the sacrifice that this young Ohio soldier (whom he had never
met) made for our country.
gravesite of Pvt. Raymond Baumgard, my husband recited the Mourner’s Kaddish
to memorialize the sacrifice that this young Ohio soldier (whom he had never
met) made for our country.
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DR. IRVIN SILVERSTEIN RECITES THE KADDISH
(JEWISH MOURNER’S PRAYER) |
Ah yes…travel truly is the bitter
with the sweet.
with the sweet.
JANET STEINBERG is an award-winning Travel Writer,
International Travel Consultant, and
winner of 40 national Travel Writing Awards.
International Travel Consultant, and
winner of 40 national Travel Writing Awards.