Ryan asked...

Ryan asked if we (Jambo and I) knew what yesterday was the anniversary of, via a text message. I had intended to post my reply then to his text, but his post was too big to finish reading before falling asleep at the computer screen.

What I had intended to reply was:

Of course I know what June 6th is... it is the 6th anniversary of our trip to the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, LA in 2004. This was the single, greatest museum trip I have ever made, without question.

We arrived just after the museum opened, and already there was a big crowd. Upon arriving at the museum, we found the main atrium of the building transformed into a "command center" where we would all get military-style briefings on the minute-by-minute action reports that were flooding into commander's offices across the theater on June 6, 1944. A wall-sized map of the Channel Coast, showing the major operations areas and beachs, was placed behind a stage where a variety of authentically dressed intelligence officers (G2 staff) gave very detailed and very informative briefings on what was happening right now, 60 years earlier. An utterly immersive and fascinating way to experience history, let me tell you.

Add to this the fact that several times that day, LIVE demonstrations were given outside the museum of the various weapons employed by the troops on June 6th. From bayonets and pistols to the shockingly impressive "Ma Deuce" (M-2 .50 cal double-barrelled machine gun) and a recoiless anti-tank rifle, all were displayed, explained and demonstrated LIVE, before our very eyes.

June 6th is a day to remember, no doubt... and our trip to the D-Day museum shows us that many, many people DO remember the service and sacrifice made by those soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.