Paris Trip - (D) - 0058This monument is dedicated to all forces who landed in Normandy on June 6th, 1944

One year ago today, I stood at this location on Omaha Beach and took this photograph. Tomorrow will be the 74th Anniversary of the largest amphibious landing in history. It is important to remember the lessons of history, for if we don't, then we will repeat them. This has been proven time and time again.

It is really hard for me put my feelings into words about what I experienced here. I saw bomb craters, remains of pill boxes, and other remnants of the battles that took place here 74 years ago. I felt like I was standing on sacred ground. What took place here led the liberation of Europe. I think it affects me so much because my father fought in World War II in the South Pacific, and I was born into a military family. I have many photographs of Omaha, Juno, and Utah beaches. I saw the cliffs and I stood in wonder at how those cliffs were scaled under constant machine gun fire. As I have said many times before, it is one thing to see photographs of a historical site, but something totally different when you are at the location. For me, to have been able to photograph here is an experience I will never forget. I will be forever transformed.

So let us remember those who fought and died here, so that we may have the freedoms that we have today. If you are viewing this on a mobile device and cannot read the inscription it reads "THE ALLIED FORCES LANDING ON THIS SHORE WHICH THEY CALL OMAHA BEACH LIBERATE EUROPE - JUNE 6TH 1944."

Cheers, Paul P.