On Memorial Day weekend, it has become an American tradition to kick off summer, to recreate in our favorite ways. But let us not forget to reflect on the original intent of the holiday, to honor those that made the ultimate sacrifice for America.

If you ever visit the war memorials at Normandy, France, especially the cemetery at Omaha Beach you will get a sense of the magnitude of what happened there. Standing on the grounds of this cemetery looking at the endless rows of graves will bring tears to your eyes, as it is to mine once again as I type this. It is almost as though you can feel the souls of the American boys who died there invading the beaches.

Here are a few photos from my trip. They don’t even come close to conveying the feeling of being there, but I hope they move you at least a little bit.

Flowers (click to enlarge)

Flags Stand Guard (click to enlarge)

Rows and Rows.. (click to enlarge)

Reflecting Pool (click to enlarge)