After the dedication we had a reception at the Utah Beach Museum. The museum was awesome. They had an actual tank in it from WWII.

That evening we went out to dinner with Stephen Spears who was the sculptor of the monument. He was telling us that there are a lot of mysteries and symbols hidden in the monument. So if you visit it, spend some time guessing and thinking about what they might be. He didn't tell me either, but I had a lot of guesses.

We're at the train station now heading to Paris and there was a write up in the French paper about yesterday's dedication. There was even a picture of me and a mention about my efforts. That was pretty cool to see.

Related articles:

Listen to Jordan Brown's speech at unveiling of Major Dick Winters memorial in Normandy

Inside the monument dedication ceremony

Sculptor discusses the memorial

They were very emotional, especially the beaches. Did you know the American Cemetary is actually on American soil?

I watched German soldiers care for their cemetery and got treated to a flyover at the American Cemetery. I also heard them play Taps there.

I got to Omaha Beach at low tide and looked for shells but didn't find any. But I did get sand from Omaha and Utah Beaches and soil from Breacourt Manor.

Point Du Hoc was my favorite because of all the bunkers and craters. It's amazing how many craters there were and the height of the cliffs they had to climb.

That's all for now.

Jordan

 The Albert H. Small Student/Teacher Institute, “Normandy:  Sacrifice for Freedom,” granted my student, Samuel Spare, and me the chance to do some of that digging.  I strive to be a courier of the past for my students in my capacity as an educator of American history.  However, nothing could have prepared me for the journey I took.

 The journey began where any good historian would start, gathering and collecting a base of working knowledge from which to proceed in further study.  Through a series of autobiographical and historical readings and films, Sam and I were thoroughly immersed in the study of events leading up to and including the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944.  What heightened our journey was the ability to comment and reflect upon the daily chapter readings, gaining insights and perspective from the other 14 teacher/student teams.  Email, the Internet and other social media made collaboration and discussion possible.  Many times I found myself re-reading sections of text to grasp and understand what others had seen that I had overlooked. 

                Throughout this process, my student began to locate, to research and to write about a fallen soldier who took part in the Normandy campaign.  The process was made even more intriguing as Sam was able to identify a soldier who graduated from our own high school in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  One of the joys of this program was hearing the excitement in Sam’s voice every week as he found new documents, a photograph, or viable evidence pertaining to his soldier, William T. McCabe.  As the weeks turned into months and June approached, Sam went on to scour microfilm, yearbooks, and even locate living relatives – the process of doing history was coming alive for him with every turn.

Once we arrived at the University of Maryland our vision and curiosity only increased as our time with the other teams began.  We were treated to opportunities that most educators and students could only hope to encounter.  From laying a wreath during a formal ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to a behind-the-scenes look at the National Archives, our eyes continued to be opened about the true historical process.  But perhaps the most engaging moments of all were arriving in France and traveling through the countryside of Normandy.

 Each one of the student-teacher teams can highlight and recall countless emotional experiences during our five-day journey.  Two memories, however, are the most prominent for everyone – arriving on Utah and Omaha beaches and standing at our soldier’s gravesite above the cliffs of Omaha.

I cannot even begin to describe the emotional rollercoaster I felt as I stepped foot onto the two beaches.  What I can remember is stopping at the beach’s edge, lowering my head, and feeling tears of emotion traveling down my cheek.  There has never been another experience like it in my life.  How could these brave young men have gone through with this?  How could they have sacrificed everything?  The questions kept flooding my mind as I stood there and scanned the beach.  It all seemed surreal.  Yet my emotional journey, and Mr. Small’s wish, came to fruition when upon exiting the beach I found a small etching in the sand made by one of our students.  It was simply the word “Thanks” with a heart drawn around it - so very simple, yet so profound.  There was the essence of our journey.That small gesture was only magnified as we climbed the cliffs and entered the American National Cemetery.  For over four hours students and teachers alike stood motionless and silent as each student scholar paid tribute to their fallen soldier.  One by one, each student knelt, placing an American and French flag at the base of the pale, white marble cross.  Then a short tribute to their soldier was read aloud, culled from their tireless research.

What we heard were excerpts from letters home, comments by family members and friends, poems written by one of the students the night before and songs of remembrance and longing lofting above the graves.  We heard the stories of brave young men that gave the greatest sacrifice, their lives, in order that the world would remain free from tyranny.  That is the lesson I strive to instill upon my students.  I experienced the highest honor any educator can feel, as my young student paid respect to a fellow American, even though years removed and never having met.

I remember leaving the cemetery that day thinking, “How can this moment and this legacy be brought back home?”  The answer came one week after our return from France as I celebrated the Fourth of July.  The holiday took on a whole new meaning; a meaning that continues to this day and translates into a great responsibility.  We -- teachers, students, parents, and all citizens -- have a responsibility to remember those who gave their lives so that we might still be able to celebrate our freedom.  To quote the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., “Freedom is not free.”  This is the responsibility that must be exercised by continuing to keep the memory of World War II soldiers alive in the minds of our young people, just as Mr. Small envisioned from the start.  Go forth and exercise this responsibility!

Here are some links to work by students to memorialize a fallen Pennsylvania soldier from the D-Day invasion:

THE SOLDIERS:

William T. McCabe (Carlisle, PA) - Glider Pilot, 78th Squadron of the 435th Troop Carrier Group

http://35982317.nhd.weebly.com/index.html

Richard O'Malley (Kingston, PA) - Commander, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division

http://richardomalley.weebly.com/index.html

William T. Lemon (Loudon County, VA) - Technical Sergeant, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division

http://williamtlemonfallensoldierofwwii.weebly.com/index.html

Robert D. Morrison (Carlisle, PA) - Private First Class, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division

http://robertdmorrison.weebly.com/index.html

Alex M. Lux (Philadelphia, PA) - 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment

http://563947073496223991.weebly.com/index.html

James M. Nolan (Pittsburgh, PA) - Warrant Officer, 264th Infantry, 66th Division

http://jamesmnolan.weebly.com/index.html

Walter Danchak (Schuykill, PA) - 16th INfantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division

http://walterdanchak.weebly.com/index.html

Alex Banko (Northampton, PA) - Private First Class, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

http://alexbankofallensoldier.weebly.com/index.html

Thomas N. Ward (Philadelphia, PA) - Private First Class, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division

http://thomasnwardjr.weebly.com/index.html

Angelo Bufano (Scranton, PA) - 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division

http://angelobufano.weebly.com/index.html

David Tenenbaum (New York) - 358th Infantry Regiment 90th Division

http://davidtenenbaum.weebly.com/index.html

Bonjour. Je m'appelle Jordan Brown. Hello. My name is Jordan Brown. Thank you for inviting me here. I really want to thank Tim Gray for his hard work to get a monument built to remember everyone that served here on D-Day.

Sixty-eight years ago, right here where we are standing, things looked very different. American soldiers had just entered into WWII and had landed on the beaches of Normandy to free the world from the Germans. If we had not won that war, this world would be very different . WWII would determine whether we would continue to be free or if we be ruled by others.

The soldiers who landed here were from a different country. They spoke a different language. They had different customs. They gave their lives to make sure that evil would be conquered and freedom would prevail.

More than 4-thousand Allied troops died in Normandy on June 6th, 1944. That was 4-thousand men who would never get to have families, children, and grandchildren. That was 4-thousand mothers and fathers and countless  brothers and sisters who lost someone they loved on June 6th, 1944.

More than 50-thousand Allied forces died during the entire Battle of Normandy. It is hard to imagine what they saw here in Normandy. But they knew they had to be courageous in order to win.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but knowing that something else is more important than fear. Those brave men did what was right and gave the world's children the gift of freedom.

It took incredible leadership to make sure their mission was accomplished. Some men had to take charge because their leaders died on D-Day. One of those men was Major Dick Winters.

Major Winters is my hero. When I learned that this monument was going to look like him, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. And here I am.

I gave out these wristbands that say "Hang Tough" on them. Those words were inspired by Major Winters. I'll tell you THAT story later...

These wristbands, donations and other events helped raise more than $99,000! And, that money helped to build this monument.

I was ELEVEN when I started this project. NOW, I am THIRTEEN! I have been asked why Major Winters is my hero. There are many reasons.

Yes, he successfully led his "Band of Brothers". But there are other things that he did that made him my hero. He always led his troops from the front. He was always honest with his men and therefore they trusted him. He never thought of himself as anything special. Not even after the war.

Not even after the book Band of Brothers came out. Not even after the mini-series brought him fame. He remained humble. He always remembered his 'brothers'.

Sixty-six years later, when he was approached about building this monument, he only agreed to let it look like him if only if it were dedicated to all who served here on D-Day.

After sixty-six years, he was still just as humble. He was still teaching us how to lead and how to live.  And now... here's the STORY I promised you...

Major Winters made famous the words "Hang Tough". He told these words to his paratroopers when they landed on D-Day. He said these words when the fighting got tough.

These were the words he continued to tell people after the war. When he signed things, he would add the words "Hang Tough."

To me, "Hang Tough" means to "hold on". To keep going even when things get hard. To never give up until you reach your goal. They inspire me!

The words were first used in combat. But, with two simple words he taught all of us how to live. Today, we stand here honoring all the men who served here on D-Day. Without their courage, life would be very different.

Many of them have died, including Major Winters, but their lessons of leadership, humbleness, and inspiring words like "Hang Tough" teach us how to live a good life.

Thank you again for inviting me here today. I will never forget today or the men that fought here 68 years ago. Today, the courage of these brave men will be forever remembered.

Thank you and Merci