This is probably one of the most patriotic things y’all will see all day – and it’s extremely emotional at that. This 11-year-old boy and his family visited Omaha Beach in Normandy, France for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. This young boy put together a personal remembrance project that he titled, “Project Vigil”.
At first he spent four days in the American Cemetery and taught visitors about three paratroopers that are buried there.
Unfortunately, on the anniversary of D-Day, the local police wouldn’t let him enter the cemetery, so he took his WWII-era flag and planted it firmly on the shores of Omaha Beach instead. The young boy just wanted to pay his respects to the soldiers that fell 70 years ago. According to the YouTube video, “When he turned his gaze to the English Channel, he saw a vision of the spirits of our infantry soldiers heading for the shore on D-Day morning.” Get ready for the chills. “He was so moved by this vision, he raised his hand to salute them.” And so he did, for over an hour and a half.
While he hummed Glenn Miller’s “American Patrol,” people came up to him to take photos and some even tried to break his concentration. He even began to cry, having to break the salute to wipe away his tears, as he remembered those whole selflessly gave their lives on that beach.
A local television outlet even came to video hime. But that’s not the most moving part of this project. Members of our Armed Forces came to him and encouraged him. Veterans saluted him. And then, at 5:02, a trumpeter stood behind him and played “Taps”, which is a simple melody that carries a lot of weight. It honors the men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
Take some time and watch this little boy pay tribute to those who fell on that infamous beach. It’s incredibly moving.
