Cherbourg and the American Cemetery in Normandy

The English Channel is rough! Started the morning rocking and rolling on this ship, and gave this history nerd a new appreciation for what the soldiers landing in Normandy on D-Day experienced. I have a special appreciation for World War 2 history and the opportunity to visit one of the American landing beaches, code named Omaha along with the American cemetary and Pont du Hoc, is one I couldn't pass up. My regret is that I couldn't stay longer and I definitely need to go back and stay longer to take it all in. We docked in the port town of Cherbourg, an important naval town in France and home to the submarine industry. I shot these pictures as we came into port.

I took another guided tour to these important sites in the history of the second world war. My only disappointment is that I couldn't stay longer. Our first stop was the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, in Colleville-sur-Mer. There are 9,387 headstones of the soldiers who gave their lives in the assault on Europe.

No matter how many pictures or video you've seen of the site, nothing can prepare you for the neatly-manicured lawn, with row after row after row of white crosses and Stars of David. Our guide told us to only spend about 10 minutes in the cemetery, to ensure there would be time to take in the visitors center. That didn't happen. There is simply too much to see and I wanted to see it all. The names of 1,557 soldiers missing in action also are inscribed in the memorial. Two of the Niland brothers are buried here; this is the family on which the movie, Saving Private Ryan, is based. General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., son of the president, also is buried here, next to his brother, Quentin, who was killed in World War I. The cemetery is a beautiful tribute to the Americans who died fighting the Axis powers.

At the top of the hour, the chimes sounded and the carillon began to play "This is My Country," a song I hadn't heard in years, followed by the national anthem. I wasn't really paying attention, messing with my camera and phone and when I realized what was playing, I stopped and looked for the American flag. All around me, everyone had come to a standstill.

When I checked my watch, I had a small amount of time to check out the visitors center. As I race walked through, I saw all manner of exhibits and videos that I will have to go back and experience.

I reluctantly headed to the bus to head to the next stop on tour, Omaha Beach.