On location: Normandy, France

It is so easy in these heady days of liberal freedom to be dismissive or even critical of our actions and the decisions of our leaders in WW2 and the Cold War that followed. But the reality is that such freedom was attained and consolidated through many individual acts of heroism and an unflagging determination here in the "West" to see freedom prevail. It was an honor, a privilege and a singularly edifying experience to visit the American Normandy Cemetery at St. Laurent-sur-Mer here in France recently. It strongly reinforced for me the timeless principle that freedom is hard won and must never be taken for granted. Whatever your politics, wherever you stand, this is a lesson of recent history worth remembering from time to time. I for one thank these brave people, and shed a silent tear at their tragedy.

Videos of our visit to the D-Day beaches will be added to our youtube channel after the Azores to France series later in the year.

Bob.