Hello readers,

****Before I begin I would like to think Mr. Lee Anderson for donating funds to the History Dept. of West Point and giving us the opportunity to better understand our history and backgrounds.****

     This is the first in a series of blogs that I will be typing and filming over the course of West Point's week long spring break. This won't be the usual spring break where I go home, but rather a unique opportunity afforded by the Academy to a foreign country. This blog will give you readers the opportunity to see what a spring break in west point is like, but first I want to write this preliminary blog out to let you know what the plan is.

Our spring break trip, which is called the "Normandy Staff Ride" will begin on Friday, the 12th of March, and end on the 20th. During the week we will be visiting important sites from the Normandy Campaign, and a few on the side. Places well be visiting include the towns of Bayeux and Centheaux, the Normandy Beachheads, Pegasus Bridge, Mt. Ormel, Paris and others. If youre not familiar with the names of some of these locations, you will be by the end of this blog. By visiting these locations and discussing the events which occured at each location in turn, we will gain a much better understanding of the tactical, operational, and strategic decisions made by the commanders and also how those decisions were carried out by the men under their command.

Also, be prepared for some pictures and imbedded videos, which will be taken over the course of the trip. In these videos, you will see myself, my roommate, Dave Douglas, and the rest of the 12 cadets + faculty which will be attending the trip. I hope you will enjoy this blog as much as I will enjoy the trip and learn more about our past.

This blog is dedicated to the sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom in the past, present, and future.

-Cadet Ryan Karohl,   class of 2011