Spartan couple take historical vacation

Photo By Sgt. William Begley | A photo of the Normandy American Cemetery as photographed by Jacquelyn Halpin. The grave sites all face east towards home, the United States. (Photo by Jacquelyn Halpin)  

FRANCE

03.03.2017

Story by Sgt. William Begley 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

Have you ever wanted to go and visit a place so that you could better understand what went on at a specific time in history? Ever wanted to know what it must have been like to walk in your Grandfather’s shoes? Or just visit a place that is so intertwined with your history that you couldn’t resist?
Staff Sgt. Daniel Halpin, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team along with his wife Jacquelyn, got to do just that recently when they went on a vacation to France and while there visited Normandy, Omaha Beach and the Normandy American Cemetery among many other historical places.
For those familiar with history, Normandy was one of the sites of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, when some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region.
“My wife’s grandfather was stationed at Schofield Barracks on Oahu when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor,” Daniel said. “Plus my wife is a big history buff and I thought it would be interesting to see what these guys [D-Day Soldiers] went through during the invasion.”
Those who are not so familiar with history perhaps can remember the movie “Saving Private Ryan” where director Steven Spielberg did his best to re-create the Omaha Beach assault during the Normandy landings. It was a graphic portrayal of the heroic actions of those who bravely gave everything to secure the beach.
“It was one of those situations where I wanted to see what those guys went through as opposed to what we go through nowadays during something like that. I got there and realized these guys went through a meat-grinder and came out the other side,” Daniel said.
Daniel said he was immediately moved upon his arrival to Omaha Beach.
“It was incredibly humbling,” Daniel said. “You can still see some of the barricades that the Germans put up During World War II to stop the Allied forces from coming ashore. There are still some of the tank traps. These guys had to charge a hell of a long distance with essentially no cover.”
Jacquelyn is the admitted history buff between the two. She can tell you where the first casualty of D-Day was, and immerses herself a lot more in the details as well as the history. Yet the powerful experience of visiting Omaha Beach was not lost on her. In some places like Omaha Beach, the story is not always told in an audible voice.
“It was overwhelming at first. I was sick to my stomach. I almost couldn’t stand to be there,” Jacquelyn said.
She noted the contrast between her perception and the actions of the French people going on about their daily routine.
“It was bizarre. Watching the locals who have their vacation homes on the beach jogging or walking their dogs. This is their home. They live there. The history is part of them. I look out and see the boats and tanks submerged and the men who were struggling to get ashore. For me it’s not a peaceful place, it’s a giant graveyard,” Jacquelyn said.
Indeed, the Normandy American Cemetery is right there. But Jacquelyn said that everyone should go to France and see this amazing piece of history.
“Don’t believe what you’ve heard about the French not being hospitable. It’s just not true. They were so kind. Especially around the Normandy area. They really get a bad reputation that is completely undeserved,” Jacquelyn said.

• Date Taken: 03.03.2017
• Date Posted: 03.07.2017 09:46
• Story ID: 225977
• Location: FR