Paris Day Three: American Cemetery

The government of France granted the United States use of the land for the cemetery as a permanent burial place without charge or taxation. Of the Americans killed at Normandy, only about 40% are buried here.

The memorial features a 22-foot statue called, "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves."

The cemetery has 9,387 total headstones. It seems as if they go as far as you can see. There are 45 sets of brothers and 3 Medal of Honor recipients here.

There are 149 stars of David for the Jewish servicemen...

The chapel sits in the center of the headstones. A mosaic on the ceiling depicts "America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air, and a grateful France bestowing a laurel wreath upon the American dead."

The overlook has views of both Omaha Beach and the English Channel.

The Visitor Center has some nice displays and quite the security screening to get in.