Posted on Jul 18, 2018
 
Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club member and past president Dwayne Lee, center,  visited the Mineral Wells club Wednesday, giving his program and photographic presentation on his trip to the five beaches used June 6, 1944, by the U.S. military and allied forces to storm Normandy, France, on what is known as D-Day to free the French from Hitler's German reign.
 
Calling it a "bucket list" trip, Lee has two return trips planned, taking 10 people. The first one is filled but the second one in August 2019 has seven openings for anyone interested in going.
 
A professional photographer and owner of Southern Flair Photography, Lee showed Rotarians how the beaches and coastline look today and the many memorials and museums created by the French to remember the fight for Freedom and honor the thousands of Americans and allied soldiers killed in what is history's largest military invasion by air, land and sea. He also showed and described the American cemetery there that many have seen in person or in photos of the perfectly lined rows of white crosses and stars.
 
He said what will strike American visitors is how appreciative the French people – young and old – remain today, 74 years later, for the Americans and allies who fought their way into and through France, liberating the nation from the communist regime and turning the tide of the war, leading to the defeat of the Nazis and victory for freedom.
 
It was a very interesting program – one Lee has given more than 60 times – describing how the invasion was planned and executed. We appreciate his visit and presentation today. Remember to mark it as a make-up Dwayne!
 
Lee is pictured above with program chair and President-Elect David May, left, and club President JJ Dugan.
 
Rotary Club of Mineral Wells meets every Wednesday at noon at Holiday Hills Country Club for lunch, socializing and networking, updates on club projects and events and a program of interest.