Maginot Line Tour

25 July - Jamie and I toured two of the Maginot Line. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line) Lena Sophie, Jamie's German tutor, joined us for the tour. These two forts are part of the 122 fortifications built along the French border from 1928 until 1940. The major fortifications are located in the French Alsace & Lorraine Region across the border from Germany. We toured the Fort Schoenenbourg ( http://www.lignemaginot.com/menu12/indexen.htm) and Fort Four a Ghaux. The forts housed 625 French soldiers, underground from September 39 to June 40. The forts each had a hospital, kitchen, storage, slowing hot and cold water which was very new for the time, air filtration, showers, sanitation, mini-train to haul supplies and barracks for 200 soldiers a shift. The forts maintained stocks for 90 days without resupply. Today, many of these forts are in ruins or private ownership. Some are mushroom farms and a few are still in use by the French Government for various uses. Some are open to the public for tours and museums. They are part of history. Of the 122 forts, only one was captured by the Germans - the remaining ones surrendered on orders from the French High Command. There is much discussion on whether the Maginot Line was a success or failure - a question that can never be answered. When viewed from many strategic purposed, the line or fortifications met the intended purpose - close the Alsace-Lorraine Gap as an easy invasion route for Germany and make the best use of the limited manpower of France who had a huge cap in military age men from 1936-1939 due to the huge # of casualties from WWI. The French govt, when planning the fortifications used it to maintain French national pride from WWI and as a works program for a beleagured economy =- akin to the US Civil Conservation Corps. This is how Andre Maginot was able to secure finding from both the left and right politicians for the protection. However, when planning, the French discounted the tank and airplane as gimmicks and fads - they planned to refight Verdun while Germany and the rest of the world modernized to avoid another Verdun/trench warfare. One small tidbit of trivia. In 1930, Czechoslovakia was worried about Germany as well. They allied themselves with France and obtained designs for these fortifications. Czechoslovakia then built similiar fortifications along her border with Germany. Great idea. However, when Mr Chamberlain and the world decided to give Czechoslovakia to Germany in 1939 to solve the Bohemian Crisis, the Nazi's had the answers to the Maginot Line test. The German engineers and military entered the forts and studies them. They decided that a direct assault to capture these forts was very difficult and kept to their plan to invace France thru the Ardennes in Belgium. Jamie and Lena Sophie outsite Fort Schonenbourg. Jamie and Lena Sophie in the Operations table at Fort Ghaux. Jamie and Lena Sophie turning the crank to rotate Combat Block #3 75mm gun turret at Fort Ghaux.

Girl Scout Horse Camp

5-11 July - Jamie went to horse Camp with Girl Scouts near Nurenburg. It takes two hours and forty five minutes to get there by car, from Kaiserslautern. But Jamie said to me that it was sooooooooo worth the drive. When we got there, her stuff had not arrived so she did crafts with a couple of other scouts. Then her stuff arrived about 15 min. later. We helped her get her gear to her bunk then we left. ( now jamie will tell you about the rest of camp.) She only has a few photos because they jsut did not have much time and she did not carry her camera everywhere and they could not take photos around the horses. Her two counselors were Checkers and Shapespeare.

Day 1 - So when my parents left, I finished unpacking then went to go work on more crafts. I did all of that in 3 hrs. Once everyone arrived and got settled in, we went to the dining hall to go set the table. We switched kapers (jobs) every day. But the kaper we had in the morning is the one we had all day. There were 3 kapers since there were the different groups. 1. Hoppers (setting the table) 2. Cinderellas (cleaning up after dinner) 3. Flag people (putting up and down the flags at ceremonies.) After hopping we had a dinner of chicken patties, noodles with crackes, salad bar, and veggies. It was very good. We left to go sing ( like we do before and after every meal) than went back to camp for 15 minutes. During those 15 minutes we learned the rules of camp.It was now the end of camp so we went to camp fire and sang about 50 different songs!!! Good now it is time to go back to camp and say good night!!! I think it was the worst night of my life! So here is what happened, We had 2 people have to use the bathroom at different times so we ALL had to go as one group = camp rules, 1 person had 2 nosebleeds, 3 people get homesick ( not me) all at different times! Nightmare times 100! We also had one of our counselors tell us if we (really the other 3 int he tent -not me, I was trying to sleep) didn't stop talking we would have an extra kaper! Ahhhhhhhhhh. So it is finally morning and I had very little sleep.

Day 2 - We woke to the sound of drip- drop. It was raining! But I guess it was good because we didn't have to do flag. We went to breakfast of pancakes, bacon and sausage. Than we split into groups according to experence on horses. I was in the more experienced group - Group B. Group A went to horses while group B went to crafts. We did horse books - 1 on color and markings and the other that you traced stencil horses and than cut it into 3rds to make different horses in different color body parts. We went back to camp to have FOB (feet on bed or me time)Time. Done. So now we have lunch that contained of soup and cornbread. Then the best part of the day hoses. We got in the car and went to horse stables 30 minutes away. The owner showed us around the ranch then she took out 2 horses, Lillyfee and Lina. They are both female horses: Lina is white and Lillyfee is brown. Both beautiful. I rode Lina. We groomed her than took her to the ring where 2 people rode in circles in every direction. We even had to sit backwards on the saddle. I was having so much fun that the next thing I knew I was having hamburger dinner with nasty onion and cheese potatoes, brocolli and an italian wafer. It was pretty good. Then Group B took freezing cold showers that hurt your head and back. Then went bach to camp and a counsellor read us a story.

DAY 3 - We woke and went to flag that takes 15 minutes than had an ok breakfast. We had cereal with english muffins. Then Group B went to horses. We groomed the same horses but this time I rode Lillyfee. She put out obstacles that we had to go around. I was very fun and on the way back we had pb and j sandwiches since we did not make it to lunch. We took showers except I found a warm one. YES. Then we had FOB time then did crafts. They were so much fun!!! We did tye-dye pillow cases and boutiques - a piece of cloth that you paint a picture from melted wax on both sides. Then put it in one tye-dye color. Then we retreated the flags, then had a pirate dinner. Oh No! Someone stole our silverware! Well I guess we have to eat spagetti and corn with our fingers! But thankfully someone found a box with kitchen utenciles (tongs wooden spoons, wisks, etc. It was quite a challenge. When we were done with dinner we played tag. But not any ordinary tag - counsellor. So the counsellors went to go hide while went to go split up into groups of 4. We made team flags then had to find the counsellor but they could run away. If you found a group with a councellor you could challenge them to rock paper scissors. If you won, you got her; if you didn' t you had to leave. But no holding on to them while you were playing they could run away. All of the teams got 1 counsellor except for 1 they got 3. Then we had dessert that was vanilla and choco pudding with shredded gramcrackers. Very good. Than we went to camp and went to bed.

Day 4 - I woke up and had to hop. We had eggs, potatoes and toast. Then we went to the craft house to go learn different knots thae we had FOB time. Then we had lunch - chicken nuggets and biscuits. Than we went to horses. We played games. Here is what we did. We groomed then played a game where you weave through chairs but you are holding a bucket of water. We won. Then we had to put an egg on a spoon and put it in our mouth and weave through again. We won. Then we did 2 balance games. It was where you sit on a wheelbarrow on a saddle and you counceller pushes you. We lost. Than we took eggs and put them on poles and we had to put them on and off without them dropping. Both teams won. Than we rode bareback on shetland ponies. It was so cool. Than we had tacoes than went to bed.

Day 5 - The next day we got to sleep in 30 minutes longer because we got to go to breakfast in our pj's. We had french toast and horses. Than went to horses. We rode on a trail in the woods. Than we had our bagged lunch on the way to camp. When we got to camp, we showered then had FOB time. That night we got to cook out. So Group B started cause Group A was at horses. We had fried rice an chicken. For dessert we had yellow cake that we put in a gutted out pinapple, pu tthe top back on, wrapped it in alumimum foil and put it in the fire. IT WAS SOOO GOOD. Then we had to go to bed.

Day 6 - This was a very good morning. We got to sleep in 1 hr and 30 min. because we got to cook out breakfast. We had english muffins and sausage. Than we had 45 min of FOB time. Than we had a hotdog lunch. We were going to go swimming but to cold than we were going to go golf, closed - so we went to a super small park. BORING. Than we took showers and then had dinner. We had pizza with noodles with beef. Than we had campfire with s'mores. Then bed time.

Day 7 - We woke up and it was the last day of camp. We packed than went to breakfast. Then we watched Mary Poppins till our parents picked us up.

Jamie doing crafts with her group. A tent is in the background.

Malinak Family Visit

11-17 July - Tina, our Favorite Slovak Daughter, came home for a week visit with her parents. It was a wonderful visit with alot of travel and food.

11 July - Kim and I picked Jamie up from Horse camp near Ansbach, Germany. On the way back, we met Tina and her family at a rest stop to surprise Jamie. Tina rode back home with us. When we arrived home, we officially welcomed them to Germany with a bottle of Stoffel Brut (Sparking Wine) - excellent by the way and exchanged a few gifts to include Jamie's Birthday gifts!!!!!!!!!! Then we started to cook dinner together. For dinner, we had steak, King Crab legs from Russia, grilled and sauteed shrimp, green beans and potatos. For dessert, we had Kim's chocolate pudding and cream cheese 4 layer dessert. After dinner, our guest relaxed from their long trip. Tina, however, being our "daughter" helped clean the table and wash dishes :)) yep, same chores when she is "home" :))

The Men grilling meat and drinking a beer!!!!

12 June - Sunday - We woke and had a light breakfast of fruit salad, meat and cheese and bread. We drove to Ramstein a little early for church and rode around the base to show them what we have on post - housing, laundry, library, gym, different agencies, px, commissary, travel, gas station, schools, etc - basically a mini-US city. Then we went to church. They are Catholic but raised in the Eastern Orthodox Church. We attend a Protestant contemporary service on base. They have seen a video from Tina. They enjoyed it and liked the music. It is different but that is the point of our visits together. After church, we went to Chili's for a big lunch. We had several different items. They really liked the chips and salsa, Margarita, Southwest egg Rolls, big blue cheese burger, chicked pasta and salad. It was ALOT of food for them but they enjoyed it and we ate it all. After lunch, we wanted to take a nap but manned-up and carried on with the plan. We visited the PX and Commissary to see what they are like and buy food for the week. We downloaded the car then loaded back in the van and to the Mexican Cantina for Mexican and Mojitos. They don't have mint at the resturant, so I take my own. They are kind enough to make them for me. They use a Brazilian Rum that is slightly spiced - very good. We were still a little full from lunch so we ate appetizers and a la carte. They enjoyed it all and we had a great time.

At Chilis

13 July - Monday - We had a similiar breakfast of Sunday then travelled to Trier. The town is over 2000 yrs old. The Romans established it in approx 16 BC. They built a wall around the city with gates. One gate remains that was constructed in approx 200 AD. Emporer Constantine had a throne room built here as well. It is a very old and beautiful city. We saw an ampitheater and the Roman baths where old fat stinky naked men would go to bath. Tina and Jamie did not want to stay long :)) We had a small lunch and did some shopping. It was a beautiful day, not too hot and sunny!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier

Tina and Jamie at the Roman Ampitheater in Trier.

From Trier, we drove over to visit our Favorite German Son and have our favorite Slovak Daughter's Parents meet their daughter's brother's parents!! Makes perfect sense in our family!! After our welcome and a few gifts for Alfons, Petra, and Michael from Tina's family, Michael and Alfons took them on a tour of the wineyards. Upon return, they toured the where they make wine and the wine cellar. Then the best part - I know you are thinking wine but no - Petra's cakes :)))))))))))))))))))) Oh is she a great cook!!! We had coffee with 3 different cakes - English fruit cake and Petra's wonderful Zarte Himberren-Schnitten (Tender Raspberry Squares) (see Michael's Birthday posting for a photo) and her Apricot cake. BETTER THAN EVER!!! Petra and Iveta (Tina's favorite Slovak Mom) talked and had a great time. Then we did a wine probe (tasting). We had a great time tasting some of the 2008 wines. After the probe we took family photos. It was wonderful having 3 of the 4 families together at one time. 3 families from 3 countries and cultures gathered in one place with one common bond - the kids. The only thing stopping it from being a perfect day was that Ahyoung, our favorite Korean daughter, and her family were not there and we missed her. Kim and I took a moment to thank the Malinak and Stoffel family for giving us a truly great gift - the gift of their child to live with us and for us to call our own. Kim and I reflected on where we were 3 1/2 years ago after our first exchange experience and where we were on Monday. We are soo happy that we kept up our faith that we would host more students and share our and their cultures. The experience has enriches our lives and given Jamie role models in her sisters and brother and a life experience of sharing cultures that cannot be bought. We are sooo thankful to all our "kids" for being great family members and good siblings to Jamie. All have wonderful parents that love them very much and are wonderful to our family. We said our goodbys after another wonderful visit to the Stoffels. They were once again very gracious and outstanding hosts. We travelled a local resturant for a German meal. The resturant sits on a hill overlooking a bend in the Mosel River and the towns of Leiwen and Trittenheim. It was a great meal, wonderful company and a great view. After Kim drove home, we called it a night!!!!

Stoffel, Kennedy and Malinak families - # contries and cultures joined together as one "Family"

14 July - Tuesday. The weather was awful so we stayed close to home. We had a large thunder and lightening (Donner and Blitzen) storm that fried our phone, internet and printer until Friday....yeah. We cooked french toast with sausage and country ham. Then we drove to the factory outlet center in Saarbrucken. It was OK but the prices were really high. We did not stay long. We decided to do a late lunch/early dinner. We cooked, on request, Kim's baked macaroni and cheese, fresh creamed corn, biscuits, steamed veggies, and fried chicken, sweet tea. For dessert, we had fresh chocolate chip cookies and Pina Coladas. We all had a great time.

15 July - Wednesday. The weather was great so off to Strassbourg, France ( http://www.strasbourg.com/) we went. The GPS decided to take us thru the German/French countryside for the 1:45 hr drive. Just for fun, about 1/2 way there and in the middle of freakin NOWHERE without a map, the GPS decides to go haywire and direct us to every police station in the area. We finally figured it our about 20 minutes and 3 turns later and were back on track------stupid technology!!! On our way, we passed one of the Maginot Line forts - Fort Simershof. http://www.cheminsdememoire.gouv.fr/page/affichelieu.php?idLieu=841&idLang=en. We had a quick walk down to the site but the tour was too long for our timeline. We had a slow, uphill walk back to the car and off to Strassbourg.

We arrived in good time and began our day. We walked through the weekly flea market which is very nice - clothes, jewelry, stinky cheese, meats, pastries, etc. We then went to the main church square and had lunch. We had a great meal of traditional foods - Martin had a meats and saurerkraut plate, I had a 3 meat pot with veggies, Matus had a salmon and pasta, Tina had the veggie plate, Kim and Jamie split a Rosetti with egg and bacon and cheese, Iveta had a Dijon mustard chicken salad. YUMMY!!!! We then toured the huge church in town, Martin and Matus climbed the 332 steps to the top - why not 333??? French!!! This was the tallest church in Christendom until the 19th Century. The beautiful stained glass windows, astronomical clock and Mount of Olive statue are very beautiful. We then did some shopping and a beer before our boat tour of the River I'll that circles the old city. The cruise took us through the locks on Pettite France up to the European Parliment and back for about an hour. It was very nice. We then walked through Pettite France and stopped for a French pastry :) We headed back to the car - tired but very happy. We decided we were not very hungry so we came back home and make a 7 layer mexican dip and had chips and dip for dinner with left over chicken.

Having a drink before the boat cruise. Strassbourg France

Family at the Gutenberg Statue in Strassbourg, France.

16 July - Thursday. Drove to Rudesheim for a boat cruise down the Rhine River. The weather was perfect. We got caught in a stau (traffic jam) and had to take a few backroads. We arrived 10 minutes before the boat arrived. We were able to get a table by the window and enjoyed our 3 hour tour passing many castles, towns and other ships. We enjoyed drinks on the boat. We got off the boat in a little town and rode the train (bahn) 45 min back to Rudesheim. We had a very nice lunch and walked around the town and yep - shopped. We then drove up to the Neiderwald Denkmal (Monument). This is a monument to the Prussian forces after the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/1871. During the war, the several German states that were in the coalition joined to form one nation state - Germany or the Germany Empire under Emperor Wilheim I of Prussia,. Germany defeated France which completed the downfall of Napolean III and the Second French Republic. Germany gained control of the French regions of Alsace and Lorraine which they would keep until their defeat in WWI. The Monument is a huge statue overlooking the Rhine Valley. See Tina's vist in November 2008 for a photo.

The family overlooking the Rhine Valley.

17 July - Friday. We cooked a full American breakfast with sausage gravy and biscuits, scrambled eggs, grits, sausage and bacon, fruit salad. They really enjoyed it and we only had a few grits left over. Jamie set the table. I'm just guessing but I'm sure it was the first time biscuits and sausage gravy and grits have been served on china with silver and crystal for orange juice. It sure make it taste even more gooder :))) After cleaning up and the telephone man FINALLY coming to fix the phone and internet, we headed to K'town to walk around and - yep, you guess it with 4 women - shop!!!!! The guys went to James' office to see that then do some car shopping!!! :)) !!! We linked back up and headed home where Kim cooked her World Famous Lasagne with Stoffel Wine of course and salad with garlic bread for dinner. They started to pack ALL the stuff they bought in their car and we called it a night.

It was a great visit. Kim, Jamie and I are humbled and happy that of all the great places to spend in Europe for their yearly family holiday, they chose to come visit us, experience our food and travel to some really great places with us. We will miss Tina until she returns home again in December when Ahyoung visits for a full family Reunion!!!!!!!!!

Until the next post!!

Rothenburg

5 July - Well, we had to do it. We hit the great tourist trap of Rothenburg. It is right by where Jamie is attending Girl Scout Horse Camp so we had a few hours and stopped by for a quick tour and lunch. For lunch, we had pork medallions and spatzle, pork knuckle and kraut and very good chocolate cake. Rothenburg is a very nice old walled city. There was a group of at least 100 American HS students from Arizona playing a concert in the main town square. There are ALOT of tourist shops and the town is very quaint. Kim and Jamie in the famous photo-op tunnel gate. Kim and Jamie in the town square. We toured the Criminal Museum in town. It is a museum that chronicals the history of Law and punishment in the middle ages. Really fascinating and would be better if I spoke better German. they have copies or originals of laws and how the law process progressed thru time. Really interesting. They also have various devices for punishment from shame to execution and items and devices for torture to extract confessions. www.kriminalmuseum.rothenburg.de/englisch/page1.html Stretching torture Table for extracting confessions or for fathers of girls to have "friendly chats" with boys!!!! After we toured, we took Jamie to her camp in Ansbach for the week. She will have a great time doing GS stuff and horseback riding. Those photos later!!

4 July BBQ

Today we hosted our previous landlord's family for a traditional 4th of July BBQ. We had a great time and ALOT of food. We cooked BBQ pork and beef ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, chips, sweet tea, lemonaid, Hamburgers and baked beans. For dessert, homemade vanilla Ice cream with strawberries or cholocate sauce, brownies, watermelon, cantelope. We have Stoffel wine with dessert and Slovak beer with the main meal. It was the first time our German friends tried these dishes. We ate outside under the shade a tree and the rain held off. It was a great time. We enjoy living in Germany and sharing alot of traditions of our German hosts, visiting so many wonderful places in Europe and eatting so many different foods. The only American culture we can share with our German hosts is our food so we enjoy having them over to eat. ssooooooo Let's eat!!

Mathias and Jamies putting the dry rub on the ribs.

Ribs and Burgers

Everyone getting food - then seconds and thirds!!

Frau Unnold eatting her first Sundae...

More Food - yummy!!!!!!

We post these so everyone can see the different foods here in Europe, Deb will know we are eating well and to make Myungsup so veeeeery hungry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pork in gravy oven baked with cheese, Stork Nest Resturant, Bann Schnitzel 4 Seasons - Schnitzel served 4 ways - very good, Stork Nest resturant, Bann Strawberry Torte Kim made---yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Spargel (white asparagus) Turnovers Jamie made - very outstanding!!!!

Spargel crepes with cheese and ham - HOME RUN!!!!!!! Kim Made

Pork cutlets with Mushrooms, potatoes and Spatzel in one pot! Hamburg

Typical Germany Breakfast at a Hotel. Meat, cheese, bread, jams, cereal, juice and COFFEE :)

This was at Petra's!!!!

Himberren (Raspberry) Dessert Annette made - with cream and brown sugar topping - WOW!!

Pork Roast with Brazillian spices - Frau Unnold our Landlord's wife cooked for lunch. I want to marry her!!!!

Cauliflower (Blumenkohl) with sauce by Frau Unnold!!

Schwinehoxen (Pig calf) and salad at a Culinary expo in Pirmesans.

Garlic shrimp in cream sauce in Aachen, Albrecht Deuer, Aachen

Open face pork sandwich with cheese and onions - SNAP!!!!!!!!! Ah SAHHHH! Albrecht Deuer, Aachen

Trout in Valkenburg, Netherlands

Satay in Valkenberg, NL. This is influenced by the Dutch trading in the far east. This is also a Thai dish but MUCH larger portion than Thai. Note the size of the Pork servings on the skewer. The brown sauce is a peanut sauce that was the best I've ever had!!!!

Spaghetti, Rigatoni, Lasagne Trio at Il Pirata - our favorite Italian Resturant

Chicken schnitzel with pasta - Garmish

Fried pork cutlet with potatoes and fried apples. Althaus Resturant - Hohnecken

Pork medallions with mushrooms and sauce over long spatzle noodles. - Spinraedl resturant - Kaiserslautern

Apple studel with vanilla sauce - Spinraedl, Kaiserslautern

Stuffed pork with potatos and green beans - Spinraedl, Kaiserslautern

Fried Potato cakes with apple sauce - greasy but great flavors!!! Parchenkirchen

Pork roast with red cabbage and potato balls - Garmish

Spatzle with cheese and bacon bits - VERY similiar to Slovak Halushky - Garmish.

Open face Pork sandwich with gravy and mushrooms - Oberammagau

Fleishkase mit Eir und puree

A type of meatloaf with egg and mashed potatos - Geilenkirchen, Germany

Normandy Part II

27 June - We began the day at Point du Hoc where the 75th Rangers under LTC Rudder landed and attacked the cliffs to capture a gun battery at the top of 200ft cliffs. They took heavy casualties only to get to the top and find the gun casements empty. The area is still heavily pockmarked by 500, 1000 and 2000 lb bombs dropped on the position for months. Some of the casements are still intact while others were blown to large chunks. http://en.winkipedia.org/wiki/pointe_du_hoc We then travelled to the gun battery at Longues sur Mer. ( http://web.ukonline.co.uk/gaz/longues.html ). This is a battery similiar to the one at Merville visited earlier but this is the only Normandy position where the guns remain in the casement positions. It is a very good site to visit to get the impression of the size of the guns and the area they would cover. These guns could range the Omaha beach and the ships supporting Gold Beach. The position was shell heavily on D-Day and 2 of the guns put out of action early. All 4 guns were out of action durimg the day and the enemy troops surrendered on 7 June to British forces. The site also has the forward observers station intact as well. Next we went to Arromanches for lunch and tour the museum. ( www.musee-arromanches.fr/accueil/index.php?lang=uk )This is where one of two artificial ports were constructed by the Allies. The British port was in this location so there are alot of British tourist. The museum has a working model that shows how the ports were operated and used. It is a very good museum and worth the trip. There were two ports constructed. One by the Americans on Omaha Beach and this one by the British. The American port was destroyed by a huge storm shortly after construction and never really provided much support. The British bridge was used for months until other ports were captured and cleared of mines. The amount of food, ammunition, fuel and medical supplies needed by the Soldiers demanded that a port be used. The advantage of landing on the Normandy coast is that it was not heavily defended - the big disadvantage is there was no port to supply the Army - yes logistics - love it :)) The nearest ports of Le Harve and Cherbourg were heavily defended and heavily mined. Had the Allies landed there, the enemy was to destroy the ports to make them unuseable. Lord Mountbattan stated: "If we cannot capture a port, we must bring our own." This task is a testiment to the will of a nation. Over a span of 14 months, different companies across England made sections of the port, without knowing why or where it would be used. Huge concrete breakwaters were constructed. As they were built, they were sunk in the Thames river to hide them, then refloated and towed across the channel on 7 June. The artificial port use a system that allowed the causeway to rise and lower with the tide without an interruption in service. Many of the techniques developed then are still used today in our military when we offload ships with equipment onto beaches. Traffic was regulated, certain supplies to certain docks, etc. This is the best example that defines logistics - the art and science of making the impossible possible!!! The ports are gone today, the breakwaters and falling apart after 65 years in the water but there are several still out there. The site really shows that a nation with the will to succeed can do anything! From Arromanches, we were done with our D-Day tours. We travelled to Bayeux to see the Bayeux Tapestry. ( www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/Bayeux1.htm ) It is almost 900 years old and recounts the Battle of Hastings in 1066 where William the Bastard, later William the Conqurer, defeated Harold and became King of England. The tapestry is 230 feet long. It was commissioned by the Cardinal of Bayeux after the battle. He was a cousin of King William. The Tapestry was brought out every year during a celebration to show the people the tale of their King. At the time, people were illiterate so the tapestry showed them the battle in pictures. It is really interesting and the details are very good. After the tapestry, we visited the HUGE Cathederal of Notre Dame. It is very large and very pretty. The organist was playing so it was very nice. There are 13 alters in the church and a HIGH vaulted ceiling that looks taller than and I've seen to include Speyer and Cologne. When we departed, we drove to downtown Caen and walked around and found a resturant for dinner. In Germany, it is no problem because we speak enough German to get around and read menus. However, in France, English is hard to come by and most places, outside of tourist areas, don't have English menus. So, out came the French Dictionary. We found a place that had brochettes or skewered food. We tried it and nailed it. The food was excellent, dessert was good. I did discover that the French don't make much beer. Most of the beer they sold was Dutch or Belgian. So ended our last day in Normandy. 28 Jan - We departed and had a very good drive back with little traffic. We stopped off at Verdun, a WWI battlefield about 20 square kilometers. For 10 months of 1916, the Germans and French fought here. A total of 310,000 were killed and another 400,000 wounded, captured or missing. A total of 41 million artillery shells were fired by both sides. During the battle, the land was litterly a wasteland. There were no trees or blades of grass. Everything was destroyed in this battle area. Verdun is often called the French Stalingrad in reference to the way the Soviets poured Soldiers into that city during the seige in WWII due to the strategic importance. Today, the forest has returned but the craters remain from all the artillery blasts. The trenches remain in many places and the forts and artillery battery positions remain. This was a true meat-grinder that devoured the youth of many nations. The cemetary at the cite has 25,000 graves to include muslim soldiers. Muslim you ask?? Yes, Muslim. The French brought troops from their colonies in Morocco, Libya and Algeria to fight. These tombstones are turned toward Mecca. The Ossuary memorial at the top of the hill has the names of many of the missing and underneath are the bones of the over 200,000 unknown Soldiers that have been found over the years. This battle showed the determination of the French to defeat the enemy at all costs. It was a French victory in that the Germans withdrew in Dec 1916. The perceived succcess of the fixed fortifications at Verdun, lead Andrea Maginot, a Sergeant wounded at Verdun, to develop and get approved the Maginot Line along the French Border after WWI to prevent another German attack..........well, we know how that worked out. There is a huge statue and memorial to Maginot at Verdun. Maginot was undersecretary of Defense in the French Military prior to the outbreak of WWI. He then enlisted as a Private in the Army. The Battle of Verdun is in the Lorraine Region of France near Metz. It has seen it's share of war over the last 125 years. It was the main avenue of attack for the Prussian Army under von Moltke in the Franco Prussian War of 1870/71 and a large battle was fought at Gravelotte just 20 miles from Verdun. In 1916, WWI battle of Verdun, Somme and Marne, then in 194o, the Nazi Blitzkreig invasion of France by Hitler and finally the 1944 Liberation of France Battle thru this area by General Patton's 3rd Army. Anyone living from 1870 to 1944 sure had a miserable life in that area. The next morning Chandler and Judy went to the airport and headed back to the states. The End Cemetary at Verdun Woods around Verdun - note the craters from 90 years ago. cathederal Notre Dame in Bayeux, France

Point du Hoc - not the bomb craters

James and Jamie at Casemate #2 at Longues Battery

Normandy Part I

25-28 June - We all packed up and drove to the Normandy Region of France. It was a nice drive except for the traffic in Paris!! Motorcycles drive between cars - while the cars are moving!!! really fun!! 25 Jun - We arrived and checked into the hotel in Caen and started our tour of the WWII D-Day sites. We began at Pegasus Bridge on the Orne River in Benouville. This was the first place liberated by the Allies (British 6th ABN Division) at 0030 on 6 June 1944. It was critical to secure this bridge to allow the British to cross the river after landing and to ensure the enemy did not cross it to attack the landing beaches just 5 miles N of the bridge. The British landed in 3 gliders from 25-50 and 75 meters from the bridge and captured the bridge in 15 minutes and held against 2 enemy counterattacks until later in the day when relieved by the British forces landing at Sword Beach. Jamie and Chandler enjoyed it and got to see the original bridge replaced in 1995, a full side model of the Horsa Glider, the landing sites of the gliders and a very nice museum. From there we travelled to Merville battery. This is a battery of 4 155mm artillery guns that could range the landings on Juno and Gold beaches. 900 British paratroopers and gliders landed to capture the battery manned by 144 of the enemy. The successful capture of these two sites and 5 bridges over the Diver River ensured the success of the landing on the Eastern part of D-Day. the battery has a DC-3 that was used to drop paratroopers on D-day, then sold to Czechoslovakia then Serbia finally rescued and restored and placed at the Merville Site. They have a really realistic sound and light demonstration of what it would be like inside one of the artillery bunkers with 1000lb bombs dropping, the guns firing, small arms fire outside, explosions, anti-aircraft artillery fire, shouting - pretty realistic. For dinner, we ate at Juno Beach and had muscles and ice cream - no not at the same time!!!! Then a really great lightning storm over the beach with ALOT of rain. Jamie and Chandler at the site of the first glider landing at 0016 on 6 June at Pegasus Bridge. the commander was MAJ Taylor, 6th British Airborne Division. Merville Battery - see the 4 hardened artillery bunkers. It is a very interesting site that is pretty much exactly as it was on D-day. Over 1,500 British paratroopers died in the area capturing bridges and this battery. Jamie and Chandler enjoying muscles in France :))))) yummy 26 June - We drove toward St Mere Eglise behind Utah beach on the Carentan Peninsula. On the way we stopped at the German Soldier Cemetary south of Isigny sur Mer. The Cemetary is where German Soldiers killed in the Normandy area are buried. The Deutschsoldatfriedhof (cemetary) is very well done. It is very different than the American Cemetary. German Soldiers are buried mostly 2 to a grave. It was very moving to see several flower wreaths layed at the mononent on 6 June this year. One of the wreaths was from the 9th Battalion 6th British Airborne Division. This is the unit that attacked and Merville battery we visited the day before. This unit lost personnel to the enemny and took the lives of many of the Soldiers buried in the ceremony. The wreath was placed in the spirit of rememberance and recolsilidation for lives lost and taken. Afterwards, we drove to Saint Mere Eglise. The 82nd Airborne Division jumped in the area around Saint Mere Eglise to secure the main road from Cherbourg and Carentan. One of the companies of the 82nd AA Division landed in Saint Mere Eglise. Unfortunately, a house was onfire in the city center. People were out fighting the fire and of course the enemy occupying the town were out as well. As the planes flew overhead and the paratroopers fell, they had no option but to fall within the downtown where many were killed immediately or taken prisoner by the enemy. The town was liberated the morning of 6 June. The parachute you see on the church is a replica of the paratrooper John Steele who landed on the church. The 101st Airborne Division jumped just Southeast of this town into Saint Marie du Mont to secure the road in that sector. The 82st and 101st Airborne Divisions secured their objected with heavy fighting. They suffered approx 2,500 killed on D-Day. Next, we travelled the 7 miles to Utah beach were the 4th and 90th Infantry Divisions landed. There is a very nice museum and film with many artifacts. The beach is very vide a low-tide which is when the Allies landed. There are several remaining bunkers along the beach. After lunch, we travelled to the US Cemetary at Colleville. This is the top of the cliff of Omaha beach where the toughest fighting was on D-Day. The 29th and 1st Infantry Divisions landed here. The entire D-Day landing hinged on the main effort at Omaha Beach. The beach was not secured and troops not off the beach until late in the day on D-Day. The cemetary is very pretty with an ocean view with many of the soldiers buried within 100yds of where they died. Soldiers buried in the cemetary died in the Normandy Campaign that lasted approx 2 months. From the cemetary we went to dinner in Port en Bessen - a small port city. We walked thru a small outdoor market and had dinner. We then went back to the hotel and the kids played in the pool.

German Soldier Cemetary in Normandy - Flowers remain from 6 Jun Ceremonies

James and Jamie outside the church in Saint Mere Eglise.

James and Jamie on Utah Beach where 197 US casualties died on D-Day.

Judy, Jamie, Chandler and Kim at Colleville American Cemetary, Normandy.

Jamie and Chandler on Omaha Beach where approx 2000 US soldiers died on D-day. Port en Bessen where we had dinner.