I find it surprising that today's museum has only existed since 2002 given the commitment of forces and the number of Canadians who gave up their lives.
The beach itself is actually quite nice. Good sand and a what looks like a great surf for those who like that. The surrounding area has been built up with many condo-like resorts taking advantage of the 8km long beach. In one way sad to see but hey time moves on and it is a beautiful area which should be used.
There are some bunker remains here and there. Most collapsing in some fashion or another. It is something to see walls/roofs that are truly 2-3 meters thick of re-bar laden concrete. You really can't comprehend until you see it.
The museum itself is very well done. Not big or loud. Very Canadian. The displays, the flow, the information simply solid and extremely captivating.
We spent 5 hours at the Juno beach site then headed for the Canadian cemetery and between closed roads due to re-surfacing and detours, our GPS could not get us there. We then rushed to Omaha beach which is about 30min down the road as we knew the memorial closes at 6pm.
The memorial at Omaha beach (which was the only beach bloodier than Juno on D-Day) is big, bold and beautiful. Actually, much more Canadian content then I expected. Seeing the 9,000 or so white crosses live in person rather than on the silver screen is beholding. Without even thinking you start reading the names.
There are many bunkers around, much different set up than Juno cuz Omaha has a hill-top and it was heavily fortified making picking off the assault teams easy stuff.
Just such a contrast to see/feel such absolutely beautiful sand and surf knowing that it was such a different place some 69 years ago.
Toasted those who had fallen and those who came home and became the men/women they were.
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