As a member of the Military Legal Section of the State Bar of Georgia, I had the opportunity to visit Normandy in commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944. Before going; however, I wanted to be prepared for the trip.
Of course I knew that D-Day was a significant part of our history from World War Two. As part of my elder law practice, I meet WWII veterans and their families regularly. As a veteran myself who was enlisted during the Gulf Wars, I have some understanding of what service members go through.
But, I could not conceive of what it must have been like on the beaches of Normandy. Critics agree that the first fifteen minutes of the movie, Saving Private Ryan, conveys the most realistic re-enactment of the event. Thus, to properly prepare for the trip and get myself in the right psyche, I watched the movie again.
I felt certain “touring” the beaches at Normandy would not be the same as going to Walt Disneyworld like I had done just two months before. For one thing, my four year old twins were not able to go on this trip. Also, I would be accompanied by a 90 year old WWII veteran and my film crew to create an episode for Senior Salute, further memorializing the events back then as well as now.
Travel with me and read my next article about my experience from Omaha Beach.
Victoria L. Collier, CELA, Elder Care Attorney, Co-Founder of Lawyers for Wartime Veterans and Lawyers with Purpose, Veteran, author of 47 Secret Veterans Benefits for Seniors and most recent book, Paying for Long Term Care: Financial Help for Wartime Veterans: The VA Aid & Attendance Benefit.
I have been to Normandy five times and have led a group of 7 friends and clients as well. It is amazing but each time I go I realize how much I do not know and want to come back. St. Lo, the Falaise gap and the Polish museum where the Nazi’s escaped from the gap are all amazing sights besides the beaches. My uncle landed at Omaha on day 1 and is still alive in Atlanta. he is a truly amazing inspiration in my life. I am glad you are sharing your experience as well.
Gary Waitzman
PBS ran a documentary last night on the landing at Normandy, together with recreations, graphs, old pictures, and a film tour of the location. It’s definitely worth watching if you can catch it.
The dedication of those men and their willingness to give their lives for freedom is truly awe inspiring.
Nedra Catale
My father, Maurice Maxwell, served in the 101st Airborne Division of the Army as a communications officer reporting directly to General Maxwell Taylor. He was a part of D-Day, although not as an infantryman. He was a proud veteran, but did not like to talk about the War. He returned to his family in Brooklyn, New York, after serving for four years. I am immensely proud of his sacrifice.
Gary,
I have a TV show that will begin airing on PBS-Atlanta (and nationally) in September. While in Normandy, I filmed for my show an episode on WWII veterans. I would LOVE to interview your uncle. Do you think he would be interested or willing?
Melanie,
Thank you for sharing your father’s story. I am glad that he made it safely home!
I’ll be following your story all the way Victoria. Thanks for bringing us along. My grandfather (another James Campbell) was an explosives technician in WWII. He blew up bridges and laid those long pipe bombs you see in saving private ryan. He came in on the beaches of Normandy but was in the last few waves of soldiers after the beach had been won. My dad said he told him about it when he was in high school. It was very hard for my dad to watch that movie knowing his pops had been right there.