D-Day, an important day in history

The church of Angoville du pain
see all photos »

Our day began at 8:30 a.m in Bayeux.  We signed up for a D-Day tour with a company called Battlebus Tours.  Prior to this day, my interest in D-Day, and history in general has been marginal.  In planning for this trip, I read more and my interest was piqued so I was looking forward to this tour.  Our tour guide, Paul, was the owner of the company, British, and married to a French woman.  This 9 hour tour was absolutely the most fascinating, riveting lessons in history that I have ever heard.  Not only did Paul take us to the important D-Day sites, he told us the individual stories of the men of D-Day and how their actions impacted the future of our world.  One story he told was of two men, Bob and Ken.  They were both young men, really boys, and they were paratrooper medics.  They dropped into the Normandy countryside, not knowing where they were, with loads of supplies, and into the midst of turbulent gun battles.  They made their way to the church of Angoville du plain.  They posted the red cross on the door, and began to go into the battlefield to save men.  Between them, they saved many lives, even German ones.  Paul told their story with such fervor and passion that brought tears to the eyes of the small tour group.  He has met both men and they have visited the church where they both saved lives.

Our hotel in Bayuex: Hotel D’Argouges
see all photos »

We visited the new museum which honors the fallen men in the American cemetery.  There are 9,000 soliders buried there.  The area is very peaceful, and heartbreaking.  Although war is a terrible thing, it is sometimes necessary to ensure freedom for all.