The best walks and hikes around Russy

In a brochure titled „Call for Peace, Because Peace is Possible“, Father Klaus Schäfer of the Pallottine religious community (Societas Apostolatus Catholici), founded in the mid-19th century by Saint Vincent Pallotti, writes: + „The great military cemeteries of the two World Wars, not only those located in France, clearly show that former enemies can become friends. After the double bloodbath of these nations, there were no accusations about who shot first, who bears the greater guilt, who was crueler, ... instead, a line was drawn with a genuine new beginning. For this reason, the great military cemeteries of the two World Wars are worthy of being declared World Heritage. This is not to elevate war to culture, but to show the world that peace is possible even after such a bloody past. Europe has shown the way: PEACE IS POSSIBLE. Former enemies can become friends, true friends.“ (P. Klaus Schäfer SAC)

The reflecting pool at the Normandy American Cemetery is located in Colleville-sur-Mer (France). It is situated in the heart of the monumental complex managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), strategically positioned between the Visitor Center to the east, the Memorial, and the large esplanades with the 9,389 white crosses of fallen soldiers to the west. The pool was designed as a key element to foster silence, respect, and solemn remembrance of the servicemen who died during the Normandy landings and the subsequent campaign to liberate Europe.

The Monument to the 1st Infantry Division stands in Colleville-sur-Mer, directly above the former German stronghold WN62. This stone obelisk honors the fallen of the Big Red One. To learn more about the history of the landing and to plan your visit, consult the official Normandy tourism website.

"The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves" is the bronze statue located in the center of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. This extraordinary monument stands on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach, one of the five main beaches of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It was created by the American artist Donald Harcourt De Lue. The statue is approximately 7 meters (22 feet) high. It stands in the center of a semicircular colonnade at the beginning of the military shrine, looking west towards the more than 9,300 white crosses of the fallen soldiers. The work depicts a young man soaring towards the sky, emerging from stylized waves. At the base of the statue is inscribed the phrase: "To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live"

The nature trail runs through a nature reserve. A side path first leads over a boardwalk and then climbs slightly towards the American military cemetery.

A memorial plaque commemorates the combat medics of the 1st US Infantry Division, who treated the wounded under heavy fire during the landing on June 6, 1944. It is located at the spot where Staff Sergeant Arnold „Ray“ Lambert set up a casualty collection point. The monument honors the courage and selfless assistance of the medics, who risked their lives for their comrades without their own weapons.

The monument of the 1st US Infantry Division commemorates the involvement of the famous 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One”, in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It is located above the beach in the Easy Red sector and marks the spot where the division broke through its section of the German defenses during the assault.

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