Does a Freeper trip to Normandy, France for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day sound good?

Stephen Ambrose Tours ^ | 01 AUG 03 | dcbryan1

[DCBryan1]

Well, I just got my packet of info concerning the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France by Stephen Ambrose Tours, Inc. I was suprised that the tour is a CRUISE! Not only that, I think that the $8,000+ is pretty steep, even for such noble guests and luxuries that you will be treated to no doubt.

However, I was wondering if it were possible to get together a FreeRepublic.com group of history buffs/patriots/veterans and maybe go over and make things more fun and less expensive for us.

I have never been to Normandy, but I heard it was alot of fun and very sobering. Even though I have reservations about spending ANY amount of money in France, I feel it is important to understand the sacrifice that our soldiers made 60 years ago and want to be there.

Unfortunately, the 60th Anniversary of D-day next June, 2004 will be the last for many D-Day Vets. With an average age of the sailors and soldiers during D-Day being 20, most soldiers that will be there will be 80+ years old and some of them may not make it to further anniversaries.

Let me know if any of you have been to Normandy and how a Freeper trip sounds. If FreeRepublic can't/won't officially sanction it, thats ok. I would enjoy the company of a couple of Freepers maybe, but would enjoy any input from those that have made this, one of the ultimate battlefield tours.

[DCBryan1]

Thanks for the input!

DCBryan1

[Lexington Green]

We're boycotting France.

[DAPFE8900]

DC this is a great idea... I was planning on a trip to normandy to... Want to talk to some of the veterans before they are gone...

[Dog]

Are you boycotting the men who lay buried there???

I think this is a good idea.

[nightdriver]

"....I was wondering if it were possible to get together a FreeRepublic.com group of history buffs/patriots/veterans and maybe go over....

I would love to do that as I missed the 50th anniversary. It would be especially great if we had some veterans along that were there when it happened.

[jjbrouwer]

It's a wonderful idea. I am sure some of the less bigoted posters here will support such a celebration of the 60th anniversary of this historic event.

[DCBryan1]

WW2 PING!

PS: No flames on "I hate France b/c of Iraq".

This is because:

I hate France.

But I want to be with our "boys" on the 6oth anniversary of D-Day.

I promise to spend as little money in France as possible:)

[Dog]

What would a weeks stay in Normandy cost??

[SamAdams76]

Sounds like an interesting concept. I too have vowed never to spend any more money on France if I can help it. But I think if an exception is to be made, a visit to Normandy on the anniversary of D-Day should certainly qualify.

$8,000 is a bit steep for me but if the trip can be brought down to under $2,000, I might be able to justify it to my "financial manager" (my wife). I get two more weeks vacation than her anyway so I've got to do something during that extra time besides sitting around the house painting the bathroom!

At any rate, we might be able to blunt the financial benefits to France by flying an American-owned carrier to France and buying American (or non-French products) while we are over there. I never drink Budweiser here but I'll drink it in France before buying their beer or wine.

[spokeshave]

Go to UK...take the cross channel ferry...take a taxi to the site...for minimum stay in frog land

[DCBryan1]

Dunno, thats what Im hoping to get from this thread.

A couple of people have told me that the hotel in Arromanches(Juno beach/Brit. sector) is a good place to stay, along with the small bed and breakfasts' at Pegasus Bridge. There are 1st Class hotels in Caen and St. Lo...but being an American, I would like to stay at Vierville, St.Come du Mont, or St. Mere Eglise.

Right Now I plan on going alone, into this, that is why I suggested a Freeper trip to keep me company :)

[tracer]

To France, you ask?? Only if you provide the picks, shovels, rope, and wooden crates for a proper "commemoration".....

[DAPFE8900]

Sleep who would sleep!

[Seydlitz]

Go and show the French that we still care about our boys buried over there. I've been, and the cemetaries are truly moving.

Frankly, I hate Stephen Ambrose and his pop (read "junk") history about as much as I hate Chirac.

[Petronski]

Start in Britain and take the ferry from Portsmouth to Ouistreham. It would be like an amphibious Freeper landing.

I would also recommend trying to rent a "gite," kinda like a bungalow or summer home used only for rentals by the week. Some are available on the beach. It might be possible to share housing expenses among four or six people.

Also, being an anniversary year, reservations well in advance should be made. Maybe as soon as this month.

I've been, and I'd consider going on this excursion, depending on cost and such.

The village of Arromanches les Bains is a must visit, where the Mulberries still sit exposed in the surf.

[DAPFE8900]

Point beason on Omaha beach has some hotels..Hope i spelled it right!

[DCBryan1]

To France, you ask?? Only if you provide the picks, shovels, rope, and wooden crates for a proper "commemoration".....

He he...I hate France to...but remember, we will be on AMERICAN SOIL....unfortunately it is a cemetary.I too used to advocate bringing our boys home from France, but I listened to a widow and sister of some soldiers from Little Rock killed on D-Day, and they told me that they did wish to bring their husband/brother/son's home but they indicated that if they should die, to please bury them with their fellow soldiers.

Pretty sobering.

[Petronski]

Caen and St. Lo are too far, in my opinion. If you want to stay inland, focus on Bayeux.

Even if I don't go, I'd be happy to help organize.

[Phsstpok]

My wife is a travel agent and I will ask her to inquire about what might be possible.

I would second the comment about staying in England and going over to the site for a day trip, in order to spend the minimum funds in France. However, that's a knee jerk reaction. I believe I saw some news items that certain parts of France, notably Normandy and Britony (sp?) had expressed disdain for the attitude of the national gov. Kinda like the western provinces of Canada. We might be able to find places that had publicly expressed anger with the conventional wisdom of their fellow frenchmen.

I'll post what my wife can come up with, maybe even tonight.

[spokeshave]

I have an Uncle buried there....a sapper....killed in the first wave tangled in the barbed wire......

Have grave location so the anniversary would be good time to pay respects.

[Dog]

This travel outfit offers day trips from England to Normandy..

D-Day tours..

[DryFly]

Rest in Peace

[Dog]

We could get at least 50 freepers to go on this trip.

[Dog]

Jim what did you think?

[Petronski]

I'd go if it was 5 freepers. It all depends on the timing and the cost.

[Lexington Green]

"Are you boycotting the men who lay buried there???"

Are you supporting our troops in Iraq? One stupid question answered with another stupid question.


BTW. I was at Normandy on the 51st anniversary.... very moving... wish we could bring our boys home.

[baseballmom]

Go to Normandy. It is one of the most moving experiences I ever had.

$8,000 is very steep. You can do much better booking your own airfare and accomadations. A car is a handy thing to have too. Public transportation is not that great in the Normandy region. It's only about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Paris.

The French tourist websites are full of really good information. Don't forget the DDay Museum at Caen - on of the best in the area. St. Mere Eglise also has a wonderful museum. The Normandy French haven't forgotten the sacrifice that was made on their behalf.

I was so hoping to go again for the 60th anniversary - but, my son is graduating from high school that week. (Yeah!) I'll have to go later.

[DAPFE8900]

I am willing to go...I made plans with wife to go so keep me informed!

[fortunecookie]

I would love to go to France with my son, see Normandy for the 60th anniversary and a few other places. I had been planning a trip, tentatively, just before they weaseled out on us. I have boycotted things francaise as well. My concern is that our soldiers be well represented on this anniversary. I shudder to think of how they may not be honored. Recall recent protests in Normandy, anti-Americanism in some French places and the removal of US flags at a Normandy museum and a couple of other establishments. Or how any ceremony might be all PC. Ugghhh. I think a 'fleet' of freepers would be a fine way to honor them, while choking on things french because of the desire to boycott, and to be sure their memory is honored respectfully by someone present.

$8000 is way too much (for me at least). It can be done much more frugally/inexpensively. Of course, if one has that to spend and wants to luxuriate, that is up to them. However, visiting frugally sends it's own message as well.

A friend of our family, now reunited with his deceased wife and buddies, was a parachutist at Normandy and was able to attend the 50th there. His stories were amazing and he was so proud and pleased to be able to go back and honor his peers, as we were for him.

[DCBryan1]

We could get at least 50 freepers to go on this trip.

I have already notified my work that I will be gone for 10-14 days from SUNDAY, 30 MAY to SUN, 13 JUN 2004.

BTW...06 JUN 2004 is on Sabbath....very appropriate.

[fortunecookie]

I would so go and my son, too!!

[Dog]

$8,000 is to steep for me....if we could get the cost down I'm sure many would go..

[Petronski]

Recall recent protests in Normandy, anti-Americanism in some French places and the removal of US flags at a Normandy museum and a couple of other establishments.

Courseulles-sur-mer, if I recall correctly.

[DCBryan1]

$8000 is way too much (for me at least). It can be done much more frugally/inexpensively.

That is why I started this thread.

I was told $3,000 max. But I have budgeted $5,000 to be safe. I think that $8,000 is astronomically insane. I would rather spend $80.00/night in a crappy bungalo with Freepers than $8,000.00 in on a ritzy cruise ship.

[Arkinsaw]

Commemorating them at a location here in the United States and spending the money here in the United States would do just as much, if not more, to honor them I think.

[DAPFE8900]

Wow three thousand is alot...I would bring 1000 for spending...Get the car in advance..

[jjbrouwer]

The people in Normandy and Britany are some of the most friendly in Europe. Don't confuse them with the rude Parisians.

Brittany is "The Land of the Celts" and its people love English and Scottish folks. This is most unlike the rest of France, where Brits are despised!

[DCBryan1]

BTW, I think we need to start a WW2 ping list for history/ww2 nuts like myself.

[Petronski]

I went in October 1999. Nine nights in a beachfront hotel, airfare, rental car, food, souvenirs, beer and wine...the whole trip was about $2200. Of course, that was off season.

[baseballmom]

Recall recent protests in Normandy, anti-Americanism in some French places and the removal of US flags at a Normandy museum

That was bogus information. The weblog - oh no, I just blanked on the name of the site - corrected that erroneous information. The Norman French are good people. The site - the Frogman?? Sorry, I can't think of it right now.

[abn11b]

definitely interested! I was part of the Army's delegation to Normandy bak in 94 for the 50th. i made many friends that i still keep in touch with. Time to talk to the wife although I don't think it will pose that much of problem. (She's been jealous of the fact that I went in 94 ever since we met)

[abn11b]

definitely interested! I was part of the Army's delegation to Normandy back in 94 for the 50th. I made many friends that I still keep in touch with. Time to talk to the wife although I don't think it will pose that much of problem. (She's been jealous of the fact that I went in 94 ever since we met)

[Petronski]

It's good to hear the report was false. It didn't sound like Normandy to me.

[abn11b]

Sorry, attempted to edit and double posted instead. Mea culpa!

[fortunecookie]

Absolutely. Rooms can be had for as little as $40-50/night, probably more for a big event like this. I don't mind a AA rated hotel. Meals are not too expensive either, depending on one's preference. For us, airfare (northeastern US)has been as low as $325 per person, but will be higher in June for the big event. I had actually planned on about $1100pp this way off season. A rental car is probably necessary since Normandy is rural and about 120 mi from Paris (airports). But freepers could share cars - they are small though. And booking a block of rooms in advance may yield discounts or guarantee availability. I'm sure rooms are already being booked. France has a gites (zheet) system of house/cottage rentals for small groups or families. Also not too expensive.

[Petronski]

BTW, I think we need to start a WW2

If so, I hope we use the more traditional form: "WWII"

[fortunecookie]

Well, I'm glad to hear that, at least. Just more propaganda or wishful thinking, I guess.

[DCBryan1]

BTW, I think we need to start a WW2 Ping List
If so, I hope we use the more traditional form: "WWII"

I agree.

[jjbrouwer]

For gites, this is a very good site:

eurowise-gites.com

[Bahbah]

The price sounds steep, but I can attest to the fact that trips with FReepers are special. I would be interested and I wonder if you can create a ping list to keep the interested up to date.