On 6 June 1944, at 6.30 in the morning, 50 000 troops from 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division landed on Omaha Beach as part of the Allied invasion of Normandy. By the end of D-Day more than 5000 American soldiers had become casualties.
On 5 June 2004 this sculpture, Statue des Braves, was unveiled as part of the commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the invasion. The three parts of the sculpture represent Wings of Hope; Rise, Freedom! and Wings of Fraternity.
Lest We Forget.
The Eternal Traveller 
I went to the beaches with my kids when they were little (before the sculptures) and it’s eerie and emotional. My son’s favourite film is still Saving Private Ryan even at 17 years and you can picture it as you stand there. A humbling experience.
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My husband keeps telling me I should watch the movie, but I don’t think I could get past the first few scenes. I can’t imagine how awful it must have been at the time. Those men were so brave.
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Fantastic sculpture.
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It is so symbolic!
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We didn’t see this sculpture but being there was very emotional as my f-i-l landed there on D-Day. He survived.
janet
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We had no military connection to Normandy at all but still found it very moving. My father-in-law served in Papua New Guinea. When you see the war cemeteries it’s hard to believe anyone survived.
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When you see Omaha and the other beaches there and the open area that had to be crossed, see where the German gun placements were and what was on the beach to prevent the landings, it’s a miracle anyone made it to shore, let alone that the Allies eventually won that battle.
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I know! I just stood there thinking how brave they must have been, knowing that they probably weren’t going to make it, and doing it anyway. It was the same on the Somme – how did anyone ever muster up the courage to climb out of the trenches and run towards the enemy. It must have been terrifying.
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From everything I’ve heard or read, they were terrified. You’d be a fool not to be. But they did it because they believed in something greater than themselves and also because they really had no choice at that point.
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That is all true. I also think, from an Australian point of view, there was a huge sense of camaraderie and they were all looking out for each other. It must have been hell on earth though.
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Did you see “Gallipoli”? Almost makes me cry just thinking about it but I thought it was a terrific movie.
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Yes! The same thoughts apply. War is such a waste.
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The problem is that sometimes it’s a necessity (such as WWII) but it’s not always easy to know when it is and when it’s not. It always results in horrible loss of life and in scars both mental and physical for those who survive.
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True. It would be nice if everyone could just get along wouldn’t it!
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Yeah. Not going to happen, though, unfortunately. 😦
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An amazing time in history, good to see it still being commemorated. Good post!
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Thank you! We enjoyed seeing it all.
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Those were brave times. I can’t imagine ever being that brave. Thanks for reminding us. It makes me take a moment and think about their lives, and the sacrifice they made.
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You’re most welcome!
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