02/06/2026
This visit to Omaha Beach brought up mixed feelings. I actually took the time to read the entire Wikipedia page about this beach in D-Day and about the landings in general (which I recommend you do also). The soldiers took the beach, but at great cost. As the article puts it, nothing went according to plan and in war that is a fatal mistake. It is estimated that 2.400 (10.000 in all the landings) Americans lost their lives in the 24h after the landings started. The landings brought in 34.000 troops and the Germans had only 6.000 deployed to defend the position, but they had a tactical advantage that is very clear when you come see the site (or watch the movies). On the other hand, orders were given by people who weren't on the front line and that saw the troops under their command as expendable resources. What makes me really sad though is the belief that nothing has changed. A lot of Americans fought and died against Fascism and Na**sm and 8 decades later they elected the Trump state for government... TWICE!
Today's divided world seems to be heading the same way it did in the 30s, but now we have much more powerful and intelligent weapons now. We DO have the technological ability for annihilation and if that is to be our faith, may God help us in the afterlife.
