Stone Soldiers (Memorial Day 2013)

D-Day June 6, 1944 American troops attack Omaha, Utah and Ponte Du Hok

Omaha Beach with the tide out. Note the cliffs. Imagine running through soft sand carrying 60 to 80 lbs while being shelled and shot at by sweeping machine gun fire.

Omaha cliffs today

Utah Beach. Lower cliffs

Cliffs leading to Pointe Du Hoc where German gun emplacements covered Utah
 and Omaha beaches. The Germans believed Point du hoc was unassailable

Look beyond the sign to see the height of the cliff. 200 Rangers climbed
specially designed rope ladders while under constant fire to eliminate
the massive gun emplacements. The ladders were secured by grappling hooks
fired with specially designed rifle launchers. There's no beach below
just wave washed rocks.

Look closely at the dog tag

German gun emplacement Omaha

German Machine gun turret. Notice the shell pock marks

" 

Looking out of a German machine gun position. Utah Beach

The Germans had fortified the entire Normandy coast. Note all of the 65 year old shell depressions
made by allied bombers and battleships  none of which had much effect on the incredibly strong defenses
'

Between Omaha and Sword beaches at a village called Avaranche by D Day plus 13 the British built a harbor larger than Dover from scratch in the open channel. You can still see remains of parts of this legendary engineering feat in the distance. It was this harbor that allowed the allies to support the troops once a beach head was established. 13DAYs!!!!

Hallowed ground. 9,600 patriots are buried here

Memorial 

Stone Soldiers

Stone soldiers

Standing guard

Will their marble hearts

Outlast our memories?

Arms outstretched

They stand over

Once bloody remains

Far from home

And the weeping hearts

Of those left behind.

Will ignorance

And lack of interest

Defeat their victory

While they weep in

Silent desperation?

Stone soldiers On patrol

Over cliffs once climbed

Ignored by most who

Live upon their sacrifices.

Salute the Stone Soldiers

Whose marble crosses

Remind us year after year of

A debt that cannot be paid.