It’s been almost a month since our Bridge to History Ambassadors returned from their overseas adventure to London and Normandy. The memories are still being re-lived and the students are hard at working putting everything they learned to task. This week I will be sharing the essays each of the children wrote post-trip.

I think you will find these essays well-written, articulate, and inspiring. My students are young, but precocious. And I have been continually blown away by their ability to grasp an understanding of history that most adults completely miss out on. Enjoy reading.

Charlotte J., age 12

Over the past week, a few ambassadors from across the United States, and myself have explored, admired, immersed in these historical Normandy invasion sites.
It was an outstanding historical week! I was impressed by the people, cheese, culture, and a country’s love for history.

Charlotte places her thumb in the imprint a bullet left on D-Day, 1944. (Sainte-Mere-Eglise)

Of all the places from London to Normandy, my favorite place was Omaha Beach, or how history records it as, “Bloody Omaha”! More than 2400 men made the ultimate sacrifice at Omaha.
But also on June 6, 1944, 30 men from Bedford, Virginia, known as the renowned Bedford Boys, fought there in battle. Sadly, 22 out of 30 men fell at Omaha Beach. That left the small town of Bedford, Virginia, devastated. I had the chance to see where each one of the boys had fallen.

*“When I held the photograph, it was such a wonderful feeling, but it then reminded me the true costs of war.”*

While there, I met Flo and Jenny (World War II Veterans’ Memories). A couple who had such a passion for history. Flo’s wife, Jenny, was originally from Bedford, Virginia. She loved the Bedford Boy’s story and used to work at the Bedford Boys Memorial.
One day, she and her husband were at an antiques store, and they came across a picture taken in 1941. The picture depicted all the Bedford Boys posing for a unit picture. The picture is so rare that only 200 copies were printed in 1941. The exact number of copies that survived to this day is a mystery only known to the ages.
When I held the photograph, it was such a wonderful feeling, but it then reminded me the true costs of war.

Charlotte holds her hands up and declares she’s “never washing them again” after holding the photograph

I personally want to thank our donors, sponsors, and of course, our coordinators and chaperones for this excellent adventure. Every moment was time well invested.
I will forever cherish the memories, lessons learned, food, and friendships I gained on this journey.

Charlotte and her father at the The Longues-sur-Mer battery, Normandy.

I already miss France and I hope to explore even more! I never thought in a million years that I would partake in such an adventure! The trip was a dream come true for me. Even though saying goodbye was difficult for me, I know there will be more adventures to come.
Organizations like Operation Meatball and the program, Bridge2History, is such an excellent way to connect our children to the past, present, and future.”