The Big Easy

Saturday morning we drove across the 24 mile Causeway into New Orleans.  We found the museum parking for $8 and had our choice of spots.  First up was the Tom Hanks 4D movie about the war.  It was very well done and quite moving.  The museum is in several buildings on several levels and a bit confusing to tour in a logical manner.  We saw so much and decided you could spend way more than one day but you would suffer from overload.  A day off in between would be in order.  

There was a train to board which was totally replicated inside.  It was to experience what the recruits experienced when they headed to boot camp.  Through the windows you saw people waving and the countryside passing by.  It was sort of Disneyesque.

We visited different areas so there is no ryhme or reasoning to what came next.

This is a mock up of what greeted the Germans off the coast of Normandy on the morning of June 6.  At no time in history had there been such a build up of land and sea troops.

This flag was flown during the fighting on the beaches at Normandy.

The blue is water, green the inroads made on June 6, yellow is what they had hoped to capture.

Higgins (from New Orleans) LCVP (landing craft vehicle personnel).  It was an adaptation of the flat skiffs used in the bayous.  Eisenhower said without it we may not have been successful in Europe.

Rear gunner

I hope you recognize some of these aircraft.  I thought I could take photos and remember.  I was wrong!

We arrived about ten and stayed until four when we walked down the street to St. Patrick's for Mass.  It was a gorgeous church and a nice service by a very elderly priest.  His going up and down the stairs scared me but he did OK and gave a very good sermon.

We went back to the museum and toured a little more of the museum and then headed back across the Causeway.  We asked our GPS for restaurants in the area and chose a convenient Italian restaurant.  It was fabulous food and a very good choice.

It didn't take much for us to fall into bed.  Being on your feet for six hours straight is very tiring but it was well worth it.

The next day we were on the road by 8 and arrived home early in the afternoon.  I have to admit I was glad to be home.  Two weeks on the road with 8 stops dragging luggage in and out is a pain.  I will take my RV any day (and cruises where I can unpack once!).

“After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the United States entered into World War II to protect our way of life and to help liberate those who had fallen under the Axis occupation. The country rallied to produce one of the largest war efforts in history. Young men volunteered to join the Armed Forces, while others were drafted. Women went to work in factories and took military jobs. Everyone collected their used cooking grease and metals to be used for munitions. They rationed gas and groceries. Factories now were producing airplanes, weapons, and military vehicles. They all wanted to do their part. And they did, turning America into a war machine. The nation was in full support to help our boys win the war and come home quickly. ~ Kara Martinelli