TO OMAHA BEACH, OR NOT TO OMAHA BEACH? THAT IS THE QUESTION

It’s that time of year again. August. The month of vacation, long sunny days, barbeques plus a chance to do something with the family which time and weather dictates cannot be done at any other time. So, out come the travel brochures and maps, the car gets a service and for the young ones the thrill of seeing swimming costumes, beach equipment, toys and a bottle of that factor 20 sun lotion with its unique coconut aroma. It’s off to the beach again.

A scene enacted on thousands of beaches throughout the civilized world and condoned by all. Except for a certain hesitancy at Omaha Beach. This beautiful four mile stretch of sandy cove, forever tainted and held in awe by those who may deem it disrespectful to frolic on golden sands which once ran red with blood. The siren call of splashing waves fails to overcome a reluctance to tread on ground once covered with human remains.

A natural reaction. This innocent and inviting beach has been used for decades as a safe and pleasant recreation ground for families with or without children. Located on the same latitude as Seattle, sometimes even in the summer’s height the conditions can be adverse. Windbreaks are erected and with umbrellas leaning into the wind the ever hopefuls set up camp and devour sandwiches and sodas which only a Norman appetite can demand. But most times the weather is kind and the players stay out late.

Some say this is a mark of disrespect and no one should picnic on such a place. But think again. Is it right to deny opportunity to these people on the assumption that it is forever tainted because it was a battleground? Would any of the dead soldiers killed on Omaha beach actually mind if people enjoyed themselves on this area? Would the dead say they would prefer to deny access and thus maintain the fascist Nazi regime of repression?

Now, that’s not a difficult question to answer. Of course, they would say that to deny or frown on access would be to defeat the principle of their attack and sacrifice all those years ago.

Sometimes one merely has to ask the right question to find an answer to a dilemma.