On the road again...

Hello all,
Sorry for the silence on my end, but its been a busy summer. Getting ready for trips and getting Madeleine safely off to school. Left on September 10 for a two month war walk. After arriving in London I took the train up to Bradford in Yorkshire to meet with some old WWI battlefield buddies. After a pleasant visit of a day or two, back to London to meet the early arrivals for our Men of Easy Company Tour. Spent the day at the cabinet war rooms and seeing the new Churchill museum, which was great. Then it was off to the obligatory stop at the Imperial War Museum, which was a treat as always and, as always, my bags are now heavily laden with books.

The rest of the weary travellers made it in the next day and we headed out for Aldbourne. The folks loved it, as did the re-enactors who came out to greet Don and Buck. After the vets had finished "inspecting the troops" we headed down to our hotel in Salisbury, which was right beside the Cathederal. Didn't have anything to do with WWII, but boy the cathederal was impressive. Had enought time for a short visit before heading on to Southwick House and the D-Day museum. The officer's mess at Southwick, where Eisenhower made the decision to go, still gets to me. I swear I get tingles when I stand by that window and try to imagine the scene in 1944.

Off to France on the ferry and our stop at Pegasus. The night was beautiful. Just warm enough and clear so the view was terrific. Spent the night with our good friend Rima at the Churchill before setting off the next day for St. Mere.

I've done the St. Mere visit a number of times, but this time was proof that you can never learn it all. Having Buck and Don along-particularly at Brecourt Manor, gave me a whole new perspective on the "Day of Days" and what happened on the morning of June 6. Standing at Brecourt with two of the men who were there was exciting beyond words, and it was also quite touching to see the family there with the two vets. I can definately say that my knowledge of what happened that morning increased ten fold.

That evening was off to St. Lo, the town which was brutally fought over by the 29th and 35th Divisions during the breakout. At the hotel Don sereneded the group with a number of songs and poems, which seemed to be a real treat for everyone. Then it was down purple heart lane and on into Carentan with the men of the company. After finishing up with the cemetery, it was time for the looooooong drive to Brugge.

Now it is off to a Belgian Concentration Camp and then to EIndhoven for the liberation ceremony. I'll be sure to post pictures of the past couple of days soon. Take care all and GO SOX!