The beginning of the end of World War II…

When I last posted for D-Day, I used web photos.  Couldn’t find mine, taken 20 years ago.  Turns out I had placed them in an album.  What a concept!

Here are just a few.  It’s hard to imagine the majesty, unwavering determination, courage, and selfless devotion to decency, country, and community which conceived and carried out this breathtaking endeavor.

Look to the empty sea and visualize the armada.We stayed here, too, 55 years later.Pointe du HocRanger Memorial

Craters from naval bombardment

View of Omaha Beach from Pointe du Hoc

The Cliffs of Normandy

Fifty years after, walking on flat ground above
the water, vast to the sight and empty yet, steel blue, placid
like the black cows grazing on the furrowed field
sky a colored mirror
watching, waiting, breath bated –
for an eye blink’s vision clicking quickly into clear focus –
armada of liberation, filling the sea
idea so daring, it stuns still
conceived and carried out with brilliant care
burden of risk bearing great hope
present sacrifice agreed exchange for future life