Does a Freeper trip to Normandy, France for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day sound good?

Stephen Ambrose Tours ^ | 01 AUG 03 | dcbryan1

[DCBryan1]

Thanks for the input!

DCBryan1

[Lexington Green]

We're boycotting France.

[DAPFE8900]

DC this is a great idea... I was planning on a trip to normandy to... Want to talk to some of the veterans before they are gone...

[Dog]

Are you boycotting the men who lay buried there???

I think this is a good idea.

[nightdriver]

"....I was wondering if it were possible to get together a FreeRepublic.com group of history buffs/patriots/veterans and maybe go over....

I would love to do that as I missed the 50th anniversary. It would be especially great if we had some veterans along that were there when it happened.

[jjbrouwer]

It's a wonderful idea. I am sure some of the less bigoted posters here will support such a celebration of the 60th anniversary of this historic event.

[DCBryan1]

WW2 PING!

PS: No flames on "I hate France b/c of Iraq".

This is because:

I hate France.

But I want to be with our "boys" on the 6oth anniversary of D-Day.

I promise to spend as little money in France as possible:)

[Dog]

What would a weeks stay in Normandy cost??

[SamAdams76]

Sounds like an interesting concept. I too have vowed never to spend any more money on France if I can help it. But I think if an exception is to be made, a visit to Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day should certainly qualify.

$8,000 is a bit steep for me but if the trip can be brought down to under $2,000, I might be able to justify it to my "financial manager" (my wife). I get two more weeks vacation than her anyway so I've got to do something during that extra time besides sitting around the house painting the bathroom!

At any rate, we might be able to blunt the financial benefits to France by flying an American-owned carrier to France and buying American (or non-French products) while we are over there. I never drink Budweiser here but I'll drink it in France before buying their beer or wine.

[spokeshave]

Go to UK...take the cross channel ferry...take a taxi to the site...for minimum stay in frog land

[DCBryan1]

Dunno, thats what Im hoping to get from this thread.

A couple of people have told me that the hotel in Arromanches(Juno beach/Brit. sector) is a good place to stay, along with the small bed and breakfasts' at Pegasus Bridge. There are 1st Class hotels in Caen and St. Lo...but being an American, I would like to stay at Vierville, St.Come du Mont, or St. Mere Eglise.

Right Now I plan on going alone, into this, that is why I suggested a Freeper trip to keep me company :)

[tracer]

To France, you ask?? Only if you provide the picks, shovels, rope, and wooden crates for a proper "commemoration".....

[DAPFE8900]

Sleep who would sleep!

[Seydlitz]

Go and show the French that we still care about our boys buried over there. I've been, and the cemetaries are truly moving.

Frankly, I hate Stephen Ambrose and his pop (read "junk") history about as much as I hate Chirac.

[Petronski]

Start in Britain and take the ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham. It would be like an amphibious Freeper landing.

I would also recommend trying to rent a "gite," kinda like a bungalow or summer home used only for rentals by the week. Some are available on the beach. It might be possible to share housing expenses among four or six people.

Also, being an anniversary year, reservations well in advance should be made. Maybe as soon as this month.

I've been, and I'd consider going on this excursion, depending on cost and such.

The village of Arromanches les Bains is a must visit, where the Mulberries still sit exposed in the surf.

[DAPFE8900]

Point beason on Omaha beach has some hotels..Hope i spelled it right!

[DCBryan1]

To France, you ask?? Only if you provide the picks, shovels, rope, and wooden crates for a proper "commemoration".....

He he...I hate France to...but remember, we will be on AMERICAN SOIL....unfortunately it is a cemetary.I too used to advocate bringing our boys home from France, but I listened to a widow and sister of some soldiers from Little Rock killed on D-Day, and they told me that they did wish to bring their husband/brother/son's home but they indicated that if they should die, to please bury them with their fellow soldiers.

Pretty sobering.

[Petronski]

Caen and St. Lo are too far, in my opinion. If you want to stay inland, focus on Bayeux.

Even if I don't go, I'd be happy to help organize.

[Phsstpok]

My wife is a travel agent and I will ask her to inquire about what might be possible.

I would second the comment about staying in England and going over to the site for a day trip, in order to spend the minimum funds in France. However, that's a knee jerk reaction. I believe I saw some news items that certain parts of France, notably Normandy and Britony (sp?) had expressed disdain for the attitude of the national gov. Kinda like the western provinces of Canada. We might be able to find places that had publicly expressed anger with the conventional wisdom of their fellow frenchmen.

I'll post what my wife can come up with, maybe even tonight.

[spokeshave]

I have an Uncle buried there....a sapper....killed in the first wave tangled in the barbed wire......

Have grave location so the anniversary would be good time to pay respects.