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KMD's avatar

My husband & I went to Normandy in the spring of 2000. It was definitely one of our most memorable trips. To visit the little village of St. Mere Eglise, where a parachute still remains hanging on the church steeple, with a replica of the American airman who landed there dangling from it - then to enter the church & suddenly see the stained glass windows of the American paratroopers coming down on French soil was such a beautiful way for the French villagers to thank us for rescuing them from the German occupation.

Of course the American & British cemeteries were very moving as well. If you have a chance to visit Normandy, it is well worth the trip.

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TCinLA's avatar

Not being picky, but the guy who dangled from the church steeple was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne. His story is in Cornelius Ryan's "The Longest Day," which is still worth reading.

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Eva Seifert's avatar

The movie "The Longest Day" is on today at TCM - 8pm PST. "Saving Private Ryan" is on right before it.

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KMD's avatar

Thanks a lot for that info!

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Eva Seifert's avatar

You're welcome. I try to watch "Longest Day" whenever it's on. Pretty decent, and from what I've read pretty accurate (even if 54-yr-old John Wayne was playing a 27-yr-old colonel).

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