A newer monument on the road between Utah Beach and Sainte-Marie-du-Mont is, as its plaque says, dedicated to those who led the way on D-Day, and depicts Maj. Richard Winters, commander of "Easy" Company — the "Band of Brothers." A marker dedicated to Company E is nearby. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Seventy years ago, the largest armada ever assembled set off from England for the French coast. On June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops, supported by 700 warships and carried by 2,500 landing craft, assaulted a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast in an effort to push the Nazis out from occupied France and drive into Germany. Now, seven decades later, feted by still-thankful French residents, D-Day veterans, their families and friends, along with tourists and history buffs, will return to the invasion beaches — Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword — to commemorate the Allies’ efforts and sacrifices.

This story should redirect you to the photo collection. if it does not, please click the link below or copy and paste it into your browsers URL.

http://www.stripes.com/military-life/military-history/return-to-normandy