beef Posted October 16, 2018 #1 Posted October 16, 2018 My family and I fulfilled a lifelong dream of mine this summer. We visited France and spent a few days in Normandy. We were able to place bouquets on several monuments while there. I specifically chose the certain monuments to honor men I served with Special Forces that were there on June 6,1944. We also placed a bouquet on the 101st Pathfinders monument on behalf of the National Pathfinder Association, of which Im a life member.
beef Posted October 16, 2018 Author #2 Posted October 16, 2018 Here is the LaFiere Bridge memorial. My former Bn. CSM Aldretti Pullutti was with the 508th there.
beef Posted October 16, 2018 Author #3 Posted October 16, 2018 The Ranger memorial inside the German bunker on Pointe du Hoc, specifically in honor of CSM Bryan McKnight, 2nd Ranger Bn.
beef Posted October 16, 2018 Author #6 Posted October 16, 2018 The Easy Co. 506th memorial. The tree line in the background is where the German guns were located during the assault in which Winters won his DSC.
beef Posted October 16, 2018 Author #7 Posted October 16, 2018 The monument at Agonville Au Plain church honoring the 501st medics, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore, both Silver Star winners. Wright was buried in the church yard just a few years ago.
beef Posted October 16, 2018 Author #8 Posted October 16, 2018 The window inside the church at Agonville Au Plain. It was designed by the WW II mayors son, 12 years old in 1944. Notice the 501st DUI. Sorry for poor quality photo!
beef Posted October 16, 2018 Author #9 Posted October 16, 2018 And finally, when I went to sign the guest book in the church at Agonville Au Plain, I received a shock. There was a small framed memorial to one of my Special Forces buds who was KIA in Afghanistan, Sev Summers. It was placed by his family, but I had no idea it was there. Truly an emotional experience on top of the one just being in that hallowed area.
USARV72 Posted October 17, 2018 #11 Posted October 17, 2018 Nice pics, very moving. You make it to a cemetary? Daughter and husband were there last month, sent 30 some pics of same places. She has gotten really interested in WWII, wonder where she got that, LOL. Want to go before I cant get around.
beef Posted October 17, 2018 Author #12 Posted October 17, 2018 Thanks, guys! I did make it to the cemetery, just in time for Taps. I will tell you that I could not keep it together. After the flag was lowered and folded, I told my kids that when youre at a place like that during Retreat and you see the flag being lowered and hear Taps, its for everyone you ever knew that didnt make it, not just those present. They both said they intuitively knew that was the deal. The whole area is humbling and amazing. I also went to the US beaches, Dead Mans Corner and other places. Didnt get to the British beaches, Pegasus Bridge and a lot of other places. If yall havent been you must go. But dont make the mistake I did: not enough time. You need at least 5 days to a week to do it justice. You do need to go while youre mobile. Its not all disability friendly and requires a fair amount of walking. I did also donate a copy of my original A Co. 505th PIR pre-deployment yard long to the Ste. Mere Eglise Airborne Museum. It features Pvt. Bob Murphy, 82nd Pathfinder. Magali Mallette, the Museum Director was delighted. I was unaware of this, but they have a display of Airborne yard longs right by the front door of the C-46 building. They did not have one of A 505. Bob Murphy is largely responsible for the existence of the museum and the anniversary celebrations, so hes like a Patron Saint to Ste. Mere Eglise.
dunit35 Posted October 24, 2018 #13 Posted October 24, 2018 My wife and I visited in August. We spent four days there. Visited all the beaches, several museums, churches, monuments. You can easily spend several more days there. It was a humbling experience. Something I’ll never forget.
Dogsbody Posted October 26, 2018 #14 Posted October 26, 2018 The window inside the church at Agonville Au Plain. It was designed by the WW II mayors son, 12 years old in 1944. Notice the 501st DUI. Sorry for poor quality photo! Thanks for the pictures! Angoville-au-Plain is a very special place in my opinion. Here's a picture of the same stained glass window I took in 2015. Rene
beef Posted October 29, 2018 Author #15 Posted October 29, 2018 Thanks for the much better picture, Rene. That is a very special place indeed.
Nuts44 Posted August 16, 2019 #16 Posted August 16, 2019 The window inside the church at Agonville Au Plain. It was designed by the WW II mayors son, 12 years old in 1944. Notice the 501st DUI. Sorry for poor quality photo! That window was actually designed and built by a guy from right here in Arizona. I've been there several times and met him here when I came back home.
beef Posted October 21, 2019 Author #17 Posted October 21, 2019 Thanks, sorry, wrong window. THIS is the one designed by the mayors son.
beef Posted October 21, 2019 Author #18 Posted October 21, 2019 Here is an official photo of Sev and a picture of the sign on the DZ we named after him.
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