I feared how well Youngest would do on this leg of the trip. I wanted him to understand the gravity of it all and to be respectful and understand that there might be people around us who didn't want to be disturbed by a "pack of savages." I needn't have worried. We all managed to keep a modicum of dignity about us.
Looking at the beaches, deserted for the most part save for various machinery and outposts left to the elements, I could transport myself -- safely -- back in time. I could almost envision the horrors encountered there, along some of the most beautiful coastline I've ever seen. I'm getting goosebumps again just remembering.
In the end, I needn't have worried how any of us behaved. As the last photo shows, life goes on for the inhabitants and visitors. At first, I was rather outraged by its presence, but I near-immediately got it that, yeah, that's what the soldiers were fighting for: future children enjoying themselves.




