Entry #5: 7/24/2013 3:00 AM
June 6th, 1944:
Early in the morning, 156,000 allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy. This Tuesday in the beginning of summer would forever be known as “D-Day” and an unequivocal turning point in WWII history. Of the 73,000 American soldiers who launched the airborne assault and amphibious landing there were 6,603 causalities and 1,465 killed.
Almost 70 years later – Pointe Du Hoc, Normandy, France.
I am not a numbers person. I like words and I like how they can come together and make absolute poetry. When a story simply spouts out statistics the numbers have no bearing, they are unimpressionable and nondescript. When I hear statistics, like how many men died on the beaches of Normandy, I come away with nothing but a big number. It is hard to grasp the enormity of the loss. In journalism we are taught to inform with unforgettable, powerful details. There are nuances to every story. You never know what piece of the big picture is going to hit you the hardest. But when it does, you know without a doubt that this fragment of information will never truly leave your mind.
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial contains the remains of 9,387 soldiers from the invasion and of ensuing military operations. I could simply tell you this number, but I also believe a picture is worth a thousand words.
I am a visual person. Yet to see the immaculate rows of white crosses and know that each and every one was an individual who had a life; a person with hopes for the future and loved ones waiting for them to come home. It is still hard to comprehend the tragedy.
The Jewish soldiers have The Star of David instead of a cross as their emblem and many were decorated with rocks. I learned this represents how we are never finished building the monument to the deceased. And while I will most likely forget the engraved names and the numbers, I will never forget the little stones resting on the white Stars of David.
“Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God.”
It’s the unmarked graves that get to me the most. Thank you to all those who serve.
For some inexplicable reason Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray kept running through my head. Just this line, “Kiss me hard before you go, Summertime sadness, I just wanted you to know, That baby you’re the best.”
Bon voyage,
Sarah