It was on the serene beaches of Northern France at the crack of dawn on June 6,

1944 that the Allies finally gained a foothold in France and Nazi Europe began to crumble.

An event we call D-Day.

Hi, I'm Rick Steeves. to crumble, an event we call D-Day.

Hi, I'm Rick Steeves.

As we celebrate Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, or Veterans Day, or any time we simply want to

pay homage to our brave countrymen who fought to secure freedom for Europe and the world.

There's no better place to reflect on that than on the beaches of Normandy.

Here travelers find monuments, museums, cemeteries, and battlefields left in tribute to the courage of the Allied armies,

those armies who successfully carried out the largest military operation in history.

To help us remember their stories, we'll talk with Elwood von Seibold, a World War II buff who guides

visitors to the D-Day sites of Normandy. Elwood will help us sort out the options for touring

the region and tell us stories of the greatest generation.

Come with us as we explore the sites of D-Day on Travel with Rick Steves.

Today on Travel with Rick Steves, we're exploring the D-Day beaches of Normandy in France, the place

where the Allied invasion began in June of 1944 and ultimately pushed the Nazis out of France

and eventually ended World War II in Europe.

As the greatest generation fades into history, it's important that we remember their stories

and their sacrifices.

So today we've invited Elwood von Sibel to help us plan a visit to the D-Day

sites in Normandy. Elwood's an Englishman. He moved to Normandy to fulfill a lifelong dream

of introducing others to the important battlefields, cemeteries, and

...