Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

[BigDad]

http://www.allpics4u.com/places/normandy-1944-then-and-now.html

Amazing look back and how well some areas have been restored to the former glory

[yellomalibu]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Wow. That's pretty amazing.

[CaminoKid]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

just goes to show you that with time almost all wounds can heal.

[tiresmoke!]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Those buildings have been beautifully restored/rebuilt......almost like the biggest war in recorded history never happened(of course, it DID).

Makes me think of the buildings at Hickam Field, and all around Pearl Harbor....replaced windows, fresh paint...but still bear the scars of those horrible moments not all too long ago.

Puts it in perspective, for sure.

[Pumpkin]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Great find Daryl, thanks.

[studemax]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Keep in mind that the US helped rebuild Europe after war.
We sent them money, material, and labor - they didn't do it themselves.

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

The french do love their old buildings. Glad they did their best to restore those beautiful old buildings.


On another note of healing. On June 6th, 1944 my step Grandfather was there on the sand doing everything he could to patch up those kids that were shot, shelled, and blown to bits. He was a medic, specifically, a front line surgeon. His job was to stop the bleeding, stablilize the patient and get them to the hospital ships. That same day, a young German soldier was there up on the ridge. He was manning a MG-42 machine gun. He was just as scared as the American soldiers. There were more ships off shore than he could count. The soldiers pouring onto the beach on landing by the thousands. He was doing everything he could to stop them.

Enter twenty years later. The anniversary of D-Day, my Step Grandfather was back to honor that day and those who had fallen. The German soldier was there too for the same reason. They met and started talking and quickly found they had common ground. The were friends before the day was out keeping in contact and visiting each other over the coming years.

On the 50th anniversary. Peter Jennings of ABC news heard their stories and thought it was important enough to interview the both of them. They were still great friends.

[DanStokes]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

It's never the soldiers - it's the governments. The Germans let an insane man become not only in charge but an absolute ruler. There's a lesson in that.

Wonderful pics. I'm always interested to see pics taken in the same spot years apart, and these are, of course, especially important.

Thanks
Dan

[Huskinhano]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Those were great. Makes one stop and think.

[trukluvr]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Thanks for posting this. It really makes ya think about the cost of the things we do.

[bearphoto]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

great pics, too bad they are an ungrateful country

[Scott Liggett]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

great pics, too bad they are an ungrateful country

That's easy. Next time Germany wants to invade. Let them. See how they like speaking Deutsche and eating strudel.

[mike343sharpstick]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Cool, I'm a huge history buff. Thanks for posting.

[JOES66FURY]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Awesome pics, thanks for posting!

[jcharliem]

Re: Normandy 1944 and currently ..compare the photos

Much of Normandy (post WW II) was rebuilt by the wallet of the almighty U.S.A.