ShrinersFest: D-Day at the River

Rosie the Riveter ain't got nothin' on these two beauties!

The Hadi Shriner's "ShrinersFest" was this past weekend. D-Day, or Operation Overlord as it was called in military circles, was re-enacted along the plaza, complete with the LST 325, who was there in 1944 for the battle on the shores of France. It wasn't the most realistic re-enactment, but it was still interesting ... and moving ... if you let yourself think of the men who were actually there that day in 1944. I couldn't help but think that the men who stormed the beaches that day literally saved the world. But I was also thinking of the struggle in the Pacific Theater, and about my father, who crossed the equator that day, part of MacAurthor's forces to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese. You can read about that here.

We spent the day watching the re-enactment, looking at the old military vehicles, watching the aerial show and a little of the hydroplane races, visiting the craft booths ... and, of course, hitting up a few of the food vendors. While there, we ran into my brother and sister-in-law. They both LOVE to take pictures, so I knew their pictures would be, without question, better than mine. My sister-in-law didn't have her camera with her, but my brother did.  He sent me several pictures ... (actually, he had his wife send them for him!) ... and here are a few of my favorites ...

The men re-enacting D-Day, heading for the shore from their landing boat.
During Operation Overlord, the LST's would launch these boats, loaded with soldiers.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Coleman)

The LST 325, which took part in the real D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Coleman)

Team Aero
(Photo courtesy of Joe Coleman)

Team Aero
(Photo courtesy of Joe Coleman)

The hydroplane races.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Coleman)

One of the hydroplanes.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Coleman)