Of the 13,500 American paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions dropped in Normandy on the night of June 5-6, 1944, around 1/3 fell on the battlefield. During the Battle of Normandy, and in particular during the Battle of the Hedges, American losses were terrible. Some 22,000 young men lost their lives in the name of freedom. The duty of remembrance aims to highlight the actions of those who contributed their part to the edifice of world peace. It aims to tell the countless little stories that make up the bigger story. It aims to build bridges, both physical and intellectual, between people of the past, present and future, and thus to keep ideals and aspirations alive from generation to generation.
In this context, the Airborne Museum has conceived the Memory Lane project. Along one of the park’s paths, memorial bricks, ordered by anyone, can be installed in memory of one or more soldiers. The only prerequisite is that the soldier or soldiers must be American and have fought in the Battle of Normandy. The first brick to be laid was none other than that of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of SHAEF and one of the main architects of the Normandy Landings during the Second World War. Since then, many soldiers have had their names immortalized along this Allée, some paratroopers, others glidermen, but many others belonging to the whole diversity of the American army.
Two types of bricks are available:
- 3-line brick: €125
- 5-line brick: 250€
A photo of the brick(s) will be sent once installed.
