11.10.14 "Queen Forever" released today

I have been to the beaches of Normandy and visited the many cemetaries of each country. My hubby and I took my parents on a trip to France, and it was my dad's request to go visit. We also visited the many little towns, and saw many of the small museums dedicated to the war effort and D-Day. The many French were so thankful of all of the efforts of the allied forces. That was probably 15 years ago, but the memory is still in mind. They were such touching moments.

I was completely taken at viewing the beaches which the troops stormed and the holes and bunkers still remain to show what a horrific landing it was, but the success was bittersweet. I cried my eyes out as we visited each cemetery and viewed the names on the tombstones. I was particularly taken by the Canadian cemetery. Each gravesite, had flowers surrounding each stone, with not a weed in sight and such beautiful flowers. I was taken by the effort of all the young men that fought together for the freedom which Europe and we Americans have. It took brilliant minds to strategize. My Dad was forced to fight for the Germans, as he was snatched as a 16 year old from his home town in Ukraine. He surrendered to the Americans, proud of the trizube on his uniform denoting Ukraine. It was an unwanted war, and something he did not want to fight, but circumstances were different then. He was blinded during the war from shrapnel in his eyes but he recovered. My mom was forced to make uniforms for German soldiers, another one snatched from her home in eastern Ukraine and forced into servitude. It was a war and both my parents were so young. They never saw their families again, as the iron curtain fell.

I give thanks to the veterans that fought this bloody war, and am thankful for the opportunities and freedoms I live under. There are not too many of the veterans of this war left, but to honor their memory is heartfelt, and gut wrenching.

Thank you Lilly for the video. I cry easily. It's all so emotional. Sorry for being OTT, but Veteran's Day elicits some very strong emotions from me, as I never met an aunt or uncle, or cousins or my grandparents.

Adam related, He is going to be singing in Germany and France...thank god for our vets.