Remembering D-Day

Gold Beach today. (Actually two weeks ago when I had the honor of walking on these sands). Gold Beach was the D-day code-name for where the British Forces landed on Normandy. 

After the initial invasion, the British constructed a temporary harbor on the coast at the town of Arromanches, so forces could more easily and quickly offload cargo to support the invading armies. Today you can see its remains, prefabricated sections taken across the English Channel from Britain and assembled here.
Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches Omaha Beach where U.S. Forces landed on D-Day. My husband's father landed here one month after D-day, July 6, 1944. It's difficult and painful to imagine this peaceful shore was the site of a fierce battle and much bloodshed.  


While visiting Normandy, we discovered D-day is the latest in a string of bloody battles fought here throughout history, including Henry I of England's invasion of Normandy in 1106. A century earlier the Duke of Normandy set off from here to win the Battle of Hastings and become the King of England, and eventually become known as William the Conqueror. U.S. Cemetary near Omaha Beach where Americans who died at Normandy are remembered. If you are interested in World War II history, check back here. For five years, I've been working on a book about U.S. military women in the Pacific Theater of the war. I'll be sharing some stories very few people have heard.


My father-in-law was 19-years-old when he joined the battle in France. Do you have stories of relatives who fought in WWII? Please share them in the comments. Thank you.