In 2016 we had to cancel our annual trip to Normandy due to French gas strikes. In June 2017 Daddy and I were excited to return to Normandy to continue our work on Project Vigil. We had such a positive experience and met so many fine people that I've decided to share my favorite pictures from our trip with you here on my blog. In this, and the following two parts of a three part series, I will add a short commentary at the base of each photo to guide you through the trip. You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them. I hope you enjoy my photo trip diary. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog.
Richie

On the morning of June 1st, 2017, our car is all packed and ready to go. We have used this car for several long road trips now. We call it "the GV" (It's a Chrysler Grand Voyager). We consider it the official road trip "war wagon" of Project Vigil.

Daddy is more comfortable being a behind the scenes kind of guy, so he's almost never in any of our Project Vigil photos. Here is a rare photo of him, taken in the reflection of the car window right before we hit the road.

Over the years we have developed a few traditions on our trips; one of them is that whenever we arrive in Normandy the first place we stop is in Arromanches. After visiting the town, Daddy takes a photo of me at this sign before we go to our hotel for the night. Here I am in 2012 at age 9.

Here I am in 2014 at age 11.

2015, age 12.

And here I am this year at age 14.

This is the sunset over the English Channel, June 1st, 2017. On the eve of Project Vigil 2017.

Here I am getting ready on the morning of day 1. This year I decided to "ladder lace" my jump boots in honor of the paratroopers who laced them like that back in 1944.

Here I take one last look at our biography of Phil Germer, minutes before leaving for the cemetery. I was very nervous that I wouldn't do a good enough job telling Phil's life story.

Another tradition: When we enter the cemetery we always stop here at this spot; Daddy turns to me, places his hand on my shoulder and says, "This is it, Richie. Let's do this for the boys." As we walk down this path, to the left we can begin to see what we call "the sea of stars and crosses." That vision of 9,387 white marble markers never fails to overwhelm us both with emotion.

And another tradition: In the American Cemetery Daddy takes this photo of me in front of the crosses and stars. Here I am during my first visit at age 9.

Here I am in 2015.

Project Vigil 2017.

Daddy also takes a photo of me at the Cemetery entrance. This was in 2015.

And after missing our trip in 2016, here I am, happy to be back again in 2017.

Day 1. The life of Philip Germer. Dressed in my tribute uniform, I am ready to begin my vigil.

In 2014 I brought my uniform all the way home to America for just one dance with my Great-Granny. She was a young mother on D-Day. She told me how she remembered listening to the invasion unfold through radio broadcasts back in June 1944. My beloved Great-Granny died on August 6th, 2016.

This is my Great-Granny during World War II.

At the American Cemetery, Daddy took this photo, while I was getting ready to go into the cemetery on our first day in Normandy. You can see I keep an old photo of my Great-Granny taped inside my helmet.

As a tribute to my Great-Granny's memory, I also wear a photo "of my girl back home" on the outside of my helmet.

This is how we found Phil's marker when we arrived for day 1 of our vigil. Friday, June 2nd, 2017.

This is me standing vigil at Phil's grave in 2014 when I was 11 years old.

Standing vigil at Phil's grave age 14.

This is my view when I am standing vigil at Phil's grave. So many lives lost; so many brokenhearted families.

Sometimes I tell my soldier's biography to just one person at a time.

Sometimes people gather in groups.

These cemetery visitors were from Spain.

I told Phil's biography in French to most of the visitors in 2017. Many of the cemetery visitors are French.

Our proudest and most humble moments are when our own soldiers come to visit. Here I am telling Phil's biography to the Chaplain of the 82nd Airborne Division and his Chaplain's Assistant.

This gold star service flag (like the white parachute scarf I wear when I stand vigil at Phil's grave) was a gift from the Germer family. The service flag belonged to Phil's parents and was in the window at their home in Trinidad, Colorado. We promised to bring it with us to Normandy. We kept our promise with honor.

Daddy says there are no unknown soldiers, there are only unidentified soldiers, as they are all known and loved and missed by someone. This photo is a tribute to the young man who sacrificed his life and his identity for his country.

In the American Cemetery and Memorial people often leave pine cones as a symbol of having paid their respects.

Did someone order some freedom? Here the 37th Airlift Squadron passes over the cemetery. The French permit flyovers at an altitiude of 330 ft. I wonder if this was really at 330 ft...

Here I take a short break from my vigil. Spending the day in the cemetery telling the story of a young man killed in action is a very emotional experience. I think this photo captures that feeling.

The path to Omaha beach is lined with the lives of fallen heroes.

A ground level view of the markers.

When we left Phil's grave on day 1 of Project Vigil 2017 his marker was full of pennies from people who had paid their respects. Many years ago when Phil's sister visited his grave she left him one red rose. We keep up that tradition.