Hello everyone,
and wanted to share. "A young man who is the son of one of my buddies and he is in the Air National Guard of the USAF. He recently participated in a 350 paratrooper drop over the beaches inland from Normandy with his flight team on a C-130." said Jim.
"For those of you that didn't hear, I have just returned from a 2-week trip to the UK and France to celebrate -- or should I say remember -- the events that took place 65 years ago in the Normandy region of France, and then on into the rest of Europe.
Our trip began after some 3 days and 17 hours on our C-130. Fun fun! The day we arrived in Great Britain was not very fun, but a tremendous eye-opener. Immediately after we touched down, the British air-base that we landed at (RAF Lyneham) was shut down for a ceremony: the arrival of the remains of 2 British soldiers that were killed in Afghanistan. What an eye opener it was as we stood at attention while the British flag-draped coffins passed by in procession. Always a sad sight to see, but I was very proud to be able to pay my respect as an American to a great country. Then the next day on the news, we hear that another 2 Brits were killed in combat in Afghanistan, bringing the total since 9/11 to 165 Brits. In my opinion, we truly have no better friend and ally in the world! They continue to stand by our side. The people of Great Brittan always treat us far better then anywhere else in Europe or the world I have been. The first day there we spent dropping British army troops from our airplanes with our equipment, while simultaneously the Brits dropped our Army troops from British planes. Then they had a meet-and-greet on the ground. It makes one feel very proud to have the Brits as friends, and I get that they feel the same.
After a few days in Britain, we were off to France to what was to become one of the most moving trips of my 24-year career in the Air Force. The only experience that could come close would be last years visit to Dachau (Germany) to visit one of several Nazi Germany Concentration Camps. Shortly after landing in France, it was evident that this region of France, at least some, still does remember the events that took place in 1944. Nothing like the French people I met some several years ago on a trip to Paris. In some ways it was a little like we traveled back into time to 1944. People came from all over Europe to remember what the Allied Forces did for them. They all dress-up mostly as US Airborne Troops from the era. All decked out like civil war re-enactors do here in the US, only much more involved and dedicated. The streets and the beaches are covered with WWII-era jeeps and other vehicles from the time; literally, thousands of vehicles. I cant tell you how many times the hair on the back of my neck rose. Most of the re-enactors that I talked to came from Britain and Holland. But they are certainly not limited to only there. I was able to visit most of the symbolic areas of the region and participate in a few ceremonies and dedications. I have never been more proud to be an American, and never heard so many thanks for something that happened 28 years before I was even born. It was a truly humbling experience, to say the least. I still feel that the majority of Europe has little or no appreciation for what the Allied Forces did for them, but the fact that many do is nice to know. Then I heard a story on the BBC while I was over in Europe that about 1/3rd of the school-age students in Germany either dont believe the Holocaust ever happened, or think it was the right thing to do. Mind-blowing!
I will try and get some pictures of the trip ...some time in the future, but this coming month is going to be very busy.
Peace to all and take care,
David"
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