65th Anniversary of D-Day, June 6

D-DAY

The waves roll softly on the sand
at Colleville by the sea
The wind sighs gently on the land
and clouds float white and free.

The birds sing sweetly in the Spring
at Colleville by the sea
And children play and shout and sing
on the red sand by the sea

But on a hill in solemn watch
o'er the beach of Colleville Bay
Stand the white Crosses row on row
of those who came that day

That day was grim at no-man's-land
and fierce did the battle rage
Their life's blood stained the sea and sand
that day on Colleville's stage

They gave their lives in freedom's quest
at Colleville by the sea
Now each one lies in watchful rest
on that hill in Normandy

Gone now the stains from sea and sand
Gone now the battle cry
Replaced by peace across the land
and white crosses against the sky

So children play on the hallowed sand
and splash in the crystal sea;
But my heart is with the crosses on yonder hill
at Colleville by the sea.

by Eugene W. Howard
This poem was written in 1996, after Mom and Dad made a visit to Europe where they retraced some of Dad's wartime route, and visited other important battle sites. Dad was at Utah Beach during the invasion of Normany. However, this poem was inspired by the beach and cemetery at Omaha beach.