Hidden Truths
The ocean is a master of manipulation, using its beauty to make us forget the atrocities it’s capable of and the monstrous things that have happened within it. I’m reminded of this as miniscule grains of cream colored sand squishes under my feet and between my toes as I step onto Omaha Beach, the largest of the six beaches stormed on June sixth, 1944, also known as D-Day. Glimmering blue waves and warm sunshine peeking out from behind wisps of cottony clouds make it easy to forget Omaha’s dark past. However, less than seventy-five years ago the sand was stained crimson with blood and the waves carried countless corpses off to sea.
Gazing out into the never ending waters, my sepia brown eyes frantically search down the coast as far as I can see for any evidence of the bloody battle which once took place here. Instead, I find nothing but blue water that sparkles under the blazing sun and soft sand that's embedded with small purple shells. I continue to stare at the shoreline in disbelief, watching murky waves slowly role in and lap against land which leaves white foamy residue in its wake.
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The chilled air raises goosebumps against my pink tinted arms, yet it feels good in comparison to the sweltering afternoon heat. With the breeze comes the slightly bitter scent of sea salt, blown over from the light spray of water the waves create as they crash against dark, pointed, rocks. My nose scrunches up at the sour smell, but I cling to it. It’s comforting in a way, knowing that there’s at least one factor that remained constant through the course of time. Surely the soldiers who fought on the beach nearly a century ago smelled salt too. Whether it be from the ocean water as they sprinted into gunfire through the shallow water, or in the sweat that ran down their faces cutting through layers of paint and blood, or from the tears they shed before
It was 1944, and the United States had now been an active participant in the war against Nazi Germany for almost three and a half years, nearly six years for the British. During that period occurred a string of engagements fought with ferocious determination and intensity on both sides. There is however, one day which stands out in the minds of many American servicemen more often than others. June 6, 1944, D-Day, was a day in which thousands of young American boys, who poured onto the beaches of Utah and Omaha, became men faster than they would have ever imagined possible. Little did they know of the chaos and the hell which awaited them on their arrival. Over the course of a few hours, the visions of Omaha and Utah Beaches, and the death and destruction accompanied with them formed a permanent fixation in the minds of the American Invaders. The Allied invasion of Europe began on the 6th of June 1944, and the American assault on Utah and Omaha beaches on this day played a critical role in the overall success of the operation. (Astor 352)
During the Normandy landings, particularly at Omaha Beach, the destroyers of the Allied armada played a critical role and kept the Normandy invasion from becoming an unprecedented defeat. To fully understand the importance of the destroyer action on Omaha Beach, th...
Incidentally, as I write this paper I gaze upon a framed picture of a man. Over the right shoulder in the background is a blue field with silver stars behind his right shoulder. In juxtaposition behind his left shoulder is a field of red containing a pattern of gold and silver. His cover is stark white, precisely in the middle a gold eagle globe and anchor symbol. Determined blue eyes gaze back at me. His mouth set with resolve. His uniform, deep blue trimmed in red. Gold buttons run down the center. The leather neck fastened tight with two gold eagle globe and anchors on either side of the closure. A United States Marine stares back at me and I weep because some general, some officer one day may consider my son to be an acceptable loss.
The story of the Normandy invasion is a story of unimaginable slaughter. Worse than I ever knew, and I thought I knew something about it. The young men who lived through those first waves are old men now. Many have asked themselves, every day for more than 50 years, why they survived. It is an unanswerable question.
The water was calm, like the morning; both were starting to get ready for the day ahead. The silent water signals that although rough times occurred previously, the new day was a new start for the world. As I went closer to the water, I heard the subtle lapping of the water against the small rocks on the shore. Every sign of nature signals a change in life; no matter how slight, a change is significant. We can learn a lot from nature: whatever happens in the natural world, change comes and starts a new occurrence. I gazed over the water to where the sky met the sea. The body of water seemed to be endless under the clear blue sky. The scope of nature shows endless possibilities. Nature impresses us with the brilliant colors of the sky, the leaves, the water. She keeps us all in our places and warns us when we are careless with her. After all the leaves have fallen from the trees, she will offer us the first snows of the year to coat the earth with a tranquil covering. That will only be after we have recognized the lessons of autumn, the gradual change from warm to cold, rain to snow, summer to winter.
Miami Beach has long been a vacation mecca for both domestic and International visitors, and has been well regarded as a classic US vacation destination for decades. While palm trees sway in the breeze, the cool ocean breezes blow playfully on your skin. Miami Beach is simultaneously both breezy and steamy all at once.
The visual surrounding the lake was perceived before the mountains was beautiful and serene. The lavender flowers near the water mirroring the colossal mountains smelled of spring. The sunset illuminated the sky making it purple and orange. The huge rocks were faultless and could be used for sitting and thinking. The warm breeze reassured that springtime was near. The lake was ideal for swimming, it was so clear. The cabins around the lake were perfect for summertime with family and friends. The clouds looked impeccable as they were angled over the mountains, their rectangular shapes resembled fluffy pillows. The snow had almost completely melted off the mountain in the distance. The environment was well needed for break within a busy life.
Closer and closer to the calm water, I began sinking deeper in the sand. It was comforting, the silence, tranquility, and warmth of the faint sun. There is a slight breeze, warm, but cold and lonely. I could smell the scent of fish blowing through my hair and body. The sun was still fading, slowly but surely the day was almost over. About half of it is gone now. I could see shades of blue, red, purple, and pinkish-yellow. They were mixed with puffy clouds that lined the beginning of the sky and the end of the water. I noticed the darker shades on the bottom of the lower clouds.
In the warm summer evening, she sits on a rough, ginormous boulder with a small human figure in her arms. Her black jeans and black shoes rubbed against the flat, tan boulder that is as big as the world leaving a red stained mark on her pants. She feels like everything around her is small and quiet as if she is on top of the galaxy. Her adrenaline shoots up, while having the thought of falling off the boulder with her slippery, long shoes. Her hands are sweaty from holding a fragile, baby boy tight in her arms against her body.
While it could get lost in the shuffle, Houston, Texas is among the biggest cities in the United States. While people prefer to discuss New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, Houston has carved out its very own little niche on why it's one of the most important cities in the country. Besides being an economic centerpiece, it's also the kind of place that has a culture that is all it's own. If you're planning a trip to Houston you want to ensure that you seek information into what's worth your time to visit. There are a lot of options and since your time may be limited you want to choose wisely.
Beginning with the open clear layer containing minnows darting around in a disorderly way, the next layer darker was home to large crappie fish whom sat still, intently watching my every move as I lazily gazed back at him. Then there is the eerily darkened bottom of the lake, the mixture of blackish-brown silt and clay dancing with life and squishing between my wiggling toes. A dragonfly caught my attention, and landed on a stick nearby; I lifted my head for a moment to watch its metallic blue finery body reflect in the sunlight, but it left as quickly as it had come. In my peripheral view, I
“The Golden City,” “The City by the Bay,” and “The Fog City” all describe the lovely San Francisco. San Francisco is a famous city located in Northern California and has many attractions that bring tourists from all around the world to this beautiful destination each year. San Francisco is known for the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Pier 39, and much more! It is the fourth most populated city in California, with more than eight hundred thousand residents. Built on forty-three hills, San Francisco covers over forty-six square miles of land. This city is now the home to many historic sights, popular entertainment places, and sports teams.
Ever since Sunset Beach has been officially opened to the public, there has been a drastic increase of tourists present. Television programs concluded that at least a thousand people visit the beach everyday. Reasons for their stay are that they feel comfortable with the environment that surrounds the beach front, people who are at the beach are joyous and numerous activities to enjoy, and the fresh scent of the sparkly waters, make the visitors feel calm and pleasurable. So I decided to take a trip there.
I was walking along a deserted beach, there was no one in sight. I could feel the wet sand squish between my toes. I could hear the waves roll up the shore, and the smell of salt from the ocean filled the air. I looked up to see the sky covered in gloomy clouds; it looked like it was about to rain. I got an eerie feeling, like something bad would happen, but I ignored it.
Ask yourself if you have ever had a bad time at the beach? I didn't think so. In my opinion the beach is a very tranquil ant place to be. There are tons and tons of things about the beach that make it a calming place to be. The most interesting things are the things you see and hear. The less noticeable are what you feel, smell, and even taste. The only thing you might not like is the sunburn that usually follows when you're out in the sun for too long. Going to the beach is like the first warm day after a long dark winter. Overall the beach can be a calming getaway from the everyday stresses and everyday pressures of life.