Key Milestones for Normandy
August 23 Blast to the Class
Class Website updated with current information
August 30 - Survey Posted
Eliciting level of intent for final planning
September15 Survey Cutoff
Finalize Plans / Pricing
September 30 Registration Open
Final Itinerary and Pricing
April 1 Cancellation Cut-Off Date
Class Website updated with current information
August 30 - Survey Posted
Eliciting level of intent for final planning
September15 Survey Cutoff
Finalize Plans / Pricing
September 30 Registration Open
Final Itinerary and Pricing
April 1 Cancellation Cut-Off Date
Normandy 2027
West Point '72 Hosts Normandy Tour, 7-12 October 2027
Campaign Plan
Class of 1972 Normandy Tour 2027
“Operation Honor the Ties”
Campaign Plan
Class of 1972 Normandy Tour 2027
“Operation Honor the Ties”
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
After an extensive three-day reconnaissance of the Normandy region, the Proud and True Recon Team has prepared the planning parameters for our Class hosted tour of the historic Normandy region of France, 7-12 October 2027.
Our plan consists of:
After an extensive three-day reconnaissance of the Normandy region, the Proud and True Recon Team has prepared the planning parameters for our Class hosted tour of the historic Normandy region of France, 7-12 October 2027.
Our plan consists of:
- A planning figure of 100 Classmates/Family Members//Friends will attend.
- Our Normandy experience will be six days/five nights and based in the Norman town of Bayeux at the Hotel Churchill. Additional accommodations are provided at the Hotel Villa Lara (across the street from the Churchill). These hotels facilitate easy access to bus transportation for the tours.
- Two highly experienced historians from our Class (Bill Leszczynski and Paul Herbert) will lead us with itineraries that will provide us an inciteful and unique perspective on the 1944 American military operations in the D-Day area.
- We will hold a Historic Evening Dinner with some who were there in 1945 at Chateau La Chenevière on Saturday, 9 October. The theme of the Evening will be honoring the historically significant French – American Alliance. Honored guests will include some who were there in June of 1945 and experienced, firsthand, the positive impact of the US Army. The Chateau La Chenevière is only 20 minutes by bus from the Churchill and has offered additional luxury accommodations if needed.
- Tours of the American sectors of Normandy to include, but not limited to:
- Omaha Beach
- Utah Beach
- Pointe du Hoc
- Sainte-Mere-Église
- Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mere-Église
- La Fiere Causeway
- Brecourt Manor
- While cost is a consideration, it is not the primary planning factor. Elegance, class, and the unique opportunity that this event offers is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us. This Operation will “Honor the Ties” that bind us not only to the military leaders of World War II who inspired us as children, but also the ties that have bound the French and American peoples since our Revolution.
The Proud and True Recon Team, Larry Aubrecht, Andy Harvell and Steve Presley
Blast to the Class
The French Connection – From Lafayette to Operation Overlord
At the Louisville Mini-Reunion, the Engage Team noted that we were working on a Class Trip to Normandy – details at that time were sketchy, but interest seemed to justify continuing the planning activities. As more details have been clarified, we have posted the information we have on the class web site. Hopefully, you have noticed our progress, even if it has been slow. The dates are now confirmed – October 7-12, 2027.
(See the MOV Link on the Class Website)
We continue to be working on the details. While we have gotten prices for lodging in Bayeux, which will be the base of our activities; details for on-site transportation and other costs for conducting an international initiative must still be finalized. (Those of you who have worked in Europe know that the entire continent takes off in July and August – you don’t mess with Mother Nature or a European’s summer vacation!)
We continue to be working on the details. While we have gotten prices for lodging in Bayeux, which will be the base of our activities; details for on-site transportation and other costs for conducting an international initiative must still be finalized. (Those of you who have worked in Europe know that the entire continent takes off in July and August – you don’t mess with Mother Nature or a European’s summer vacation!)
What we can say is this. Due to work of our classmates in the Normandy area (Bill Leszczynski, Paul Herbert and Andy Marvell) and their expertise in the historical facts and cultural details, our tour costs will be well below those of other tour groups (e.g., the AOG). We will also be including activities that are not normally experienced on such a tour – details of this surprise will be finalized soon.
We must, however, make some initial deposits on lodging to reserve rooms for our week. On the class web site you will be able to see the hotels we are contracting, so you can get an appreciation of what that part of our excursion will be. Many of the venues we will visit are also highlighted on the class website. A final schedule has not yet been finalized, but you will be able to see what this experience will bring.
A survey will be coming out in a few days to supplement this communique (not bad for an engineer to use a French-derived word for a trip to Normandy, huh). We are asking you to let us know if you are a possible attendee. This is not a commitment; this is not a reservation; no money is expected. It does give us a feel of potential interest, at this time, to help us finalize plans. And this trip is different in that we are opening it to all friends and families of our class. So, if you think your kids, friends or neighbors might want to come, please share that information.
Help us make this an experience that we will all remember for the rest of our lives. If this is on your bucket list; if this is a second time to the beaches; if this is an “I have been there so many times I could lead the tour” return visit – let us know.
Thanks, in advance, for your understanding and assistance. Your input will help us make this the best we can and allow us to get out all of the details as quickly as possible.
Thanks, in advance, for your understanding and assistance. Your input will help us make this the best we can and allow us to get out all of the details as quickly as possible.
Bayeux – Our Base of Operations
Bayeux is a classic town in Normandy, loaded with history and rich in French culture. It is located less than an hour from the beaches of Normandy and was a key strategic objective as the Allies moved inland from the beaches. It is a wonderful blend of “old and new France” and has something to offer for everyone.
It is also the home of the famous “Bayeux Tapestry”, an embroidered cloth nearly 70 meters (230 feet) long and 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall. It depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy. Currently, on loan in England, it is supposed to be back in Bayeux before our arrival.
Bayeaux Website: www.bayeux.fr/en
It is also the home of the famous “Bayeux Tapestry”, an embroidered cloth nearly 70 meters (230 feet) long and 50 centimeters (20 inches) tall. It depicts the events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, led by William, Duke of Normandy. Currently, on loan in England, it is supposed to be back in Bayeux before our arrival.
Bayeaux Website: www.bayeux.fr/en
Our Lodgings – The Churchill Hotel and the Villa Lara
Hotels
The Churchill Hotel
The Villa Lara