Alanna Lucas with images from Normandy, 70th Anniversary of D-Day
Hi, everyone! Today I have historical fiction writer Alanna Lucas talking about her time in Normandy during the 70th anniversary of D-Day this last June. It’s an amazing photo blog! Here is some music to listen to while you view through Alanna’s post. Now, here’s Alanna!
D-Day photo blog
This past June 6th marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy. My family and I were fortunate to make the journey to France to celebrate and experience this momentous event.
The region celebrated the anniversary with reenactments, special events, fireworks, and most important, honoring those who served.
Words cannot begin to express the atmosphere and the spirit, which infiltrated the region during the anniversary week.
I hope you enjoy a glimpse into our time in Normandy.
WWII veteran sharing his experiences landing on Utah Beach
The cliffs of Pointe-du-Hoc were the objective of the 2nd Ranger Battalion. The Rangers scaled the 100ft cliffs under fierce firepower. By June 7th, 1944 of the 225 Rangers, only 90 had survived.
Pointe-du-Hoc is preserved as a historic battlefield.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise- Private John Steele was the American paratrooper who landed on the church tower. He pretended to be dead, before Germans took him prisoner. He later escaped, rejoined his division and went on to fight, earning the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was the only general to land with the first wave of troops on D-Day. At age 56, he was also the oldest man. He suffered from numerous health problems, including heart trouble, and walked with the aid of a cane.
After learning that the landing craft had landed a mile south of their objective, he surveyed the area behind the beach to locate the causeways for the advance inland, and coordinated the attack on the enemy positions. His famous words were, “We’ll start the war from right here!”
On July 12, 1944, he died suddenly of a heart attack. Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. was a veteran of both the world wars, was the only man to serve with his son on D-Day, and was awarded the Medal of Honor. He is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery.
A symbol of peace and liberty, the new bell to commemorate the 70th anniversary was named after Therese-Benedicte de la Croix (née Edith Stein), a German Jewish philosopher, who was arrested and sent to Auschwitz where she died.
Normandy American Cemetery
Within the cross-shaped cemetery there are 307 unknown burials, forty-five sets of brothers, four women, three Medal of Honor recipients, and a father and son buried side-by-side.
Not separated by rank, officers and enlisted men are interred side-by-side.
