After a comfortable overnight flight into Paris (thank you Main Cabin Extra) we picked up our jet fighter. Oops, I mean our brand spanking new Renault Scenic. We ended up getting a much higher level than David expected. This meant we received one with heads up display, targeting radar (no, actually only adaptive cruise control), and sunroof and lots of other safety and comfort features. It is also diesel and manual, so David is having lots of fun driving. We drove four hours to Cherbourg on the coast. Kathi had slept little on the plane so she caught some shut eye. David was running on adrenaline and made the most of the French tollroads. Expensive, but generally fast. We both collapsed into a budget hotel for the night. The next morning after breakfast in the hotel (see above) we headed off to see the Normandy American cemetery at Omaha beach.
The sight of over 9,000 graves is certainly sobering. The small museum provides a great perspective on the sacrifices of so many people. Both of David’s grandfathers served in France, and he lit a candle in a church in honor of their service.
Both of us struggled with our emotions as we wandered around. We are definitely anti-war, but we understand how this was a unique time that called for the world to stand up to tyranny. If you ever have a chance to visit Normandy do it. The cemetery is stunningly beautiful. The coast is incredibly scenic. And make sure you say a prayer to all the people who perished in this horrible war.
