I caught a quote on Twitter retweeted by @MDRtweet from the Million Dollar Round Table Annual Meeting in Toronto Canada, June 8-11th. "Talk to strangers. You don't know who is going to be the person to give you the best idea."
Twenty years ago (in 1994) while stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, our young family drove to Normandy, France. A WWII historian, my husband, Markus, was thrilled at the opportunity to join in the 50-year celebration of D-Day. The kids, too little for pre-school, had fun playing in the sand.
Near our French hotel, Markus ran into a lovely and sprite British veteran who was in town to receive a medal from the French Government. He didn't land on the first day, but rather the 2nd day. We offered to give him a ride to the awards ceremony. He shared his story with us and History was never the same. He gifted us with his first hand stories and this photo.
He told us that when he got off the boat, he did two things: 1.) he threw up and 2.) he turned around and snapped this picture: Hearing his experience first hand was overwhelming. Below are the notes he included with the photo.
"I’m enclosing herewith a photo copy of the picture I took as we landed from the Landing Craft. As O.C I was first off (we had to back on) and headed the tank column, so I took the opportunity to get my picture. The regiment was approximately 700 strong and I believe this was the only photo taken. The two rods sticking up are the radio aerials." - Bill Best
I've lived an extraordinary life by meeting strangers in the most unlikely of places.
Advice for the day: Life is a journey, not a destination. Be sure to spend each day listening for HisStory and HerStory.
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