Normandy - WWII Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

This is a large cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, made famous as the background for the opening and closing scene of "Saving Private Ryan." France freely gave the land to the US and it is maintained by the US. It began as early as the day after D-Day, when temporary graves were dug nearby for those killed in combat. After the war the families were give the choice to move the remains back to the US, or be part of the new cemetery. Many families wanted their loved ones brought home, although most chose to keep them with the men they led in battle. There are 9387 people buried here on the 172 acre site, including 307 unknowns. There are three Medal of Honor recipients, 4 women, and 33 pairs of brothers. 

The main memorial is a semicircular colonnade with a statue titled "The Spirit of American Youth Rising From the Waves."

There are very detailed maps along the stone walls that give an excellent account of what happened on these nearby battlefields. 

On the opposite side of the cemetery is a chapel, with both Christian and Jewish faiths represented. 

There are many inscriptions throughout the cemetery grounds, but a great one in French reads, "We don't forget, we will never forget the indefinite debt of gratitude we have to those who gave all for our liberation."

Unknown Soldier 

The grave of one of the Niland brothers, now famous from "Saving Private Ryan"

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. - Son of President Roosevelt

Grave of  Jewish soldier

This was the most solemn part of our France trip. It was hard not to get choked up seeing row after row of over 9000 head stones, knowing each was somebody's son or father who never made it home. Most of them were killed on D-Day at the beach below, or nearby at Utah Beach and the Airborne drop zones. It was a very somber atmosphere, but one of remembrance and patriotism. 

I recalled the words (I had to look it up because of course I never get my wording correct!) of Bill Guarnere, from an interview on "Band of Brothers", who downplayed his own valor during the war. "The heroes have crosses over their heads, the ones that are buried in the cemeteries. Those are the true heroes."