Today is the 82nd anniversary of when the soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy. There are a few hundred soldiers from World War II that are buried within the Soldiers National Cemetery here in Gettysburg. The exact number: 590 soldiers. Just like back then in June 1944, there was a meteorological event that soldiers had to face to get to the beaches. I have yet to go to the movie named Pressure, which is based on the meteorological events behind the decision to have a go/no-go for the beach arrivals.

Across Gettysburg this morning, it was calm and cool with clouds, that opened up to sunshine and heat. Just like Normandy, the clouds began to fill in and storms/rain affected the rest of the day. Here though, it was severe thunderstorms that destroyed tree limbs and branches, but luckily no monuments were damaged. There are hundred of trees on the battlefield, and sometimes when they fall, they fall onto the monuments. Today was no exception, but it came quite close to…. Rickett’s Battery on East Cemetery Hill.


