Another incredible day - we visited Bayeux and saw the Tapestry 

Wow - in the last year I've seen Gothenburg's Bible and the Bayeux Tapestry 

Then we went to Arromanches where the allies built an amazing artificial harbor to offload millions of pounds of equipment. These guys love the ladies - they were treated like rock stars!!!

Pictures from Juno Beach - Normandy

The Canadiens and British Troops stormed this beach 70 years ago this coming Friday

Its very peaceful now - hard to imagine about the battles that raged here.

I went out to shoot at 645 this morning - I can always sleep when I get home

Off to another adventure this morning with my heroes 

First Day in Normandy 

 D-DAy cheese :) gotta love France!!

 We stopped at the Welcome center near Charlotte to pick up some more vets - they are so excited

 The view from the balcony of where we are staying - I will post lots more pics today

First day in Normandy - sorry the pics are out of order but I'm still a bit bleary from the flight and time change. Here I am with Cliff Dill or "pickle" as he likes to be called on the way over. He came in at 10 am on D-Day and was wounded twice but made it all the way to the Elbe river to meet the Russians. He's so animated and enjoys every moment. Its been so amazing to stand and listen to the stories. They are talking (the vets) to each other in a language that only those that were here and experienced what they experienced can understand.
Yes that is D-Day cheese!!! They take their Invasion fromage very seriously - going to eat it tonight with some awesome wine.
 

On June 1st I have the Honor of accompanying 20 WWII veterans on a journey of remembrance to the Beaches of Normandy France. We are going to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the LONGEST DAY - D-Day - June 6, 1944.
My role on this adventure is to capture the moments of our journey with images and video that I hope will help the veterans, their families and anyone that will see my images remember not only the sites we will see, but also the importance of that day 70 years ago.

On my way to Washington - then Germany!! Looks like a great itinerary - we are going to lots of places. I hope to update the blog daily with great stories and great images

 My teaching partner - Noah - catching a nap on the beach. Wish I could do that!

 Walking to the beach - still perplexed at the condition of the buildings and roads - Joselia (our host teacher) seemed to think it was just the norm. Never could get an answer to why things were so uncared for.

Made it to the coast - SOMEHOW - guess God was watching over us - This was an interesting experience. On the way to the coast I noticed so many unfinished buildings and many, many examples of what we would consider poverty. Literally mud brick huts w/thatched palm roofs - but satellite dishes outside each! When we got to the coast - building after building were dilapidated and unfinished. Felt as if I was on the set of Mad Max - post apocalypse film.   The beach was nice and not very crowded. I walked for an hour down the beach enjoying the moment and still happy I was in one piece :).

Saturday June 16th - We set off on a harrowing journey to the coast of Piaui - I have lots of pics to add to this post. The harrowing part of the day was the driver!! I kid you not - he drove an average of 90-100mph the entire time!!!! I had visions of carnage, but somehow we made it. When we did slow down (because in Brazil the government puts massive speed bumps on the road as you approach any town or village - thank God!!!) I took lots of images from the window of the death mobile. Scenes from a car!!!