Pont-du-Hoc: 225 Rangers scaled the cliffs to take out German guns trained upon both Utah and Omaha Beaches on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Troops had to scale the cliffs using grappling hooks and ladders fired from the boats they were landing in. Due to poor weather and a mistake in navigation, they arrived after sunrise and the element of surprise was lost. Only 90 men were still fighting after 2 days. Deep pits remain where a naval bombardment provided cover. This was our first stop of the morning.
Vierville-village of our guide and west end of Omaha Beach-the draw they advanced upon in Saving Private Ryan is one of only two points of entry to Omaha Beach today. Students walked out onto the sands and then approached the hills, reflecting upon the same view G.I. Joes had when they came ashore.
Our third stop was the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer where over 10,000 fallen Americans are interred. Several of us were brought to tears as individual stories of our national heroes were told at the memorial museum also on the grounds. Beside one of the tombstones to an unknown soldier we planted an American flag and had a moment of silence.
Lunch will be in Bayeux and dinner in Paris. Students will see the Cathedral of Notre Dame one final time. They will breathe in the air of France and spend their last euros. It will end abruptly, and although they miss home, there will be a tinge of sadness to leave behind so rich an experience. Weeks and months from now memories will resurface...France will always be a part of our collective conscience.
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