I don’t think I really absorbed the significance of D-Day and its aftermath until I visited some cemeteries, particularly the American cemetery, situated about halfway between Colleville sur Mer and St. Laurent sur Mer. While we were in Normandy we also visited a Canadian, and a German cemetery.

There are 28 military cemeteries in Normandy, the final resting place for some of the 130,000 servicemen were killed in the Battle for Normandy, most of them German. Until the First Gulf War, British war dead were always buried near where they fell, which explains the large number of British cemeteries. American families have the choice of bringing their loved ones home. As a result, less than 20% of those Americans who perished liberating France are buried here.
The Germans were originally buried in as many as 1,400 locations around Normandy. These have been centralized into the six current cemeteries, which hold over 58,000 bodies. This does not count those in undiscovered graves, missing in action, or re-buried elsewhere in France or Germany.

American cemetery – Colleville-sur-Mer

If you saw Saving Private Ryan, you would recognize Colleville/St. Laurent. The pine trees shown in the movie are on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach, where so many Americans died.

The place is set up to elicit emotion, with the long central walk to the chapel, the Memorial, and the Garden of Remembrance, whose wall is inscribed with the names of 1,557 servicemen who were never found and the perfectly aligned graves of 9,386 Americans who gave their lives here and whose remains their families decided to leave here. Maybe it was triggered by my recent viewing of Band of Brothers series.

The Chapel, in the centre of the grounds, is quite small and is intended for individual contemplation and prayer. The care given to the grounds here is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. Each day the graves are tidied up and any flowers or other debris is taken away. Each Italian marble grave marker carries the soldier’s name, rank, unit, and the name of his home state. All the crosses and Stars of David face the west, towards America. There are three Medal of Honour recipients buried here, including General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.  I wandered around, trying to take in the enormity of the sacrifices these and other soldiers made to win WWII, and found myself crying.

I count visiting this cemetery as one of the most moving moments in my life.

German – La Cambe

La Cambe cemetery, is situated near to Omaha Beach and is the largest German military cemetery in Normandy. Over 21,400 German soldiers are buried there. In the middle stands a six metre hill, surmounted by a granite cross which represents the common grave of 296 combatants.

The cemetery has ornate megalithic shaped gravestones, black plaques lying face up in place of headstones and the virtual absence of flowers. Whilst the site is perfectly maintained, its blackness gives it a sorrowful ambience and is a powerful reminder of the futility of the Normandy campaign for German troops after D-Day. Interestingly, there are a number of grave markers with dates following the end of World War 2, as the German soldier was given the task of clearing their own mine fields. With the exception of the central mound, floral tributes were very conspicuous by their absence. I’m not sure if that is German custom, or just at this cemetery, but it did make the cemetery feel inhospitable. In hindsight, I wish I had left some flowers, and will on my next visit.

Canadian – the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery

The Canadian cemetery was just a short drive from the village of Bény-sur-Mer and was very different to the German and American cemeteries. The grave were intersperse with colourful flowers and shrubs, giving the whole place a sense of happiness and celebration. It was especially moving to read the ages on the many, many headstones and realize that the majority of the men who lost their lives here were in their early twenties. The cemetery is beautiful with rows of white headstones and carefully tended flowers at every grave, bordered with Maple trees.

Here are some sobering figures about World War II. It was the deadliest military conflict in history.

Over 60 million people were killed.

German               5,500,000 military             3,000,000 civilian deaths

British                      380,000 military                     67,000 civilian deaths

American                416,000 military                   514,000 civilian deaths

How to Jailbreak iOS 4.0 iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G with Redsn0w 0.9.5b5-3

Redsn0w has been updated to bring jailbreak support for the newly released final version of iOS4 for iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G. Available for both Windows and Mac, redsn0w jailbreak tool additionally also enables options for multitasking and background wallpapers on iPhone 3G and iPod touch 2G which otherwise are disabled by Apple.

Redsn0w beta has been updated to hacktivate iOS 4.0 for iPhone3G (in addition to jailbreaking the iPhone3G and iPod Touch 2G). For now, the redsn0w beta release supports only the iPhone3G and iPod Touch 2G at today’s 4.0. It’s still a beta, so you’ll need to let Cydia reorganize, reload, and update after using redsn0w.

Follow the step by step guide posted below to jailbreak your iPhone and iPod touch using Redsn0w.

Step 1: Download iOS 4 (final version) for your version of iPhone and iPod touch. Download links are posted here.

Step 2: Update to this latest firmware using the iOS file you just downloaded via iTunes 9.2

Step 3: Start Redsn0w 0.9.5b5-3 (download link given below) and point it to the original iOS 4 firmware file to proceed.

Step 4: Now select “Install Cydia” and click “Next”.

Step 5: Now make sure your device is both OFF and PLUGGED IN to the computer before you click “Next”.

Step 6: Connect your device in recovery mode by pressing the Power and buttons continuously.

At this stage you will be presented with a screen where you will have to quickly hold “Power” button and then while holding the “Power” button, you will now have to hold “Home” button too. Now after few seconds release “Power” button but keep holding “Home” button until installation begins.

Step 7: Sit back and enjoy while redsn0w will do all the rest for you. Once done, your iPhone and/or iPod touch will restart automatically and you will find it jailbroken on the latest iOS 4 firmware.

If you notice a blank white icon for Cydia with no sources. Go to the Sources panel and add http://apt.saurik.com/cydia-3.7 repo. Now restart your phone and you should see the regular standard Cydia logo with all the sources now.

Download redsn0w 0.9.5b5-3 for Mac
Download redsn0w 0.9.5b5-3 for Windows

Disclaimer: This guide is for testing & educational purposes only. I’m not responsible for any loss of important data or malfunctioning of your iPhone.

As we’re off to France and Greece soon I wanted to get a new camera, as the one I’ve been using is getting a little old and is only 5 mega pixels. I wanted something easy to carry, great battery life and very durable. I brought a Canon IXUS 120IS (black) 12 mega pixels. My previous IXUS50 had given me many years of happy snapping with compete reliability and excellent results.

The Canon Digital IXUS 120 IS is slim. Measuring just 20mm thick, the 12 megapixel has a 4x optical zoom lens with a wide 28mm setting and Optical Image Stabilization, 2.7 inch LCD screen, 720p HD video with an HDMI output connection, Smart Auto mode with Scene Detection Technology, and a useful Hints & Tips feature for beginners, which is ideal for Helen.

I was a bit nervous about giving up the optical viewfinder but in reality, I can only remember using it once or twice. The small size great, as it’s small enough to comfortably slip into my pocket. The video mode is also good, not as good as a dedicated HD camcorder, but for a compact its great quality.

The camera is small, light and looks cool. Its feels solid. I expect many years of real pleasure from using this sleek, new camera.

SungWoo Alex Suh and Sung Jin Suh performing various techniques as part of the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn

Wow, I’ve just checked my visitors count and I’ve had over 100,000 visits! So I have to say a huge thank you to all my readers. Bluemoonblog seems to have gone mad over the last two months, with close to 5,000 visitors.

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A video of the Masters and Sa Ba Nim’s performing techniques at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

A video of the kick routine performed by the Master’s, Sa Ba Nim’s, and Pu Sa Ba Nim’s at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

A video of Kyo Sa Nim Mike and Jyo Kyo Nim Pete Garrod, Staff sparring at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

JKN Andy, SBN Dave, KSN Mike, JKN Laura, JKN Pete and JKN Laura

Here’s a video of the demo I did as part of my Black belt promotion, at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn. I’m  in the second row from the left, and the second person in. We performed Ki Cho Hyung and Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo 1, 3, 5 and 15.

Here’s a video Helen took of me being called up to collect my Kuk Sool Won certificate of dahn at the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn. Helen did get a little excited and forgot she was holding the camera at the beginning, lol.

I’ve had an absolutely awesome weekend in King’s Lynn, where I received my Jyo Kyo Nim promotion, and I took part in the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition! In fact the whole week has been a phenomenal experience, from Wednesday’s grading through to my promotion. I’d like to congratulate everyone on their success at the tournament, their promotions, and the demo.

It’s been one of those moments that will stay with me for life, something I’ll look back on with a great deal of satisfaction, a sense of achievement and huge pleasure. I was simply amazing to be in the presence of so many Kuk Sool Won masters, celebrating our achievements, and watching our promotions.

I keep finding myself looking at my certificate just to make sure it’s real. I’m still so excited, so happy, and it’s an incredible sensation. Over the years I’ve looked at the Jyo Kyo Nim’s with a little envy, as the Generals uniform they wear is beautiful, and now I get to wear my own. When I look in the mirror, I feel very, very proud. That said, Helen asked me to stop wearing it in bed, lol.

The past 4 years have been a challenging journey, and it’s not over, for I have only just reached the start, now the true journey begins.

JKN Laura, JKN Laura , and JKN Andy (me) awaiting our promotion

Nervous anticipation

Glad I’m on the mats, the floor was hard, I’m still working on my Black belt bottom.

The dignitaries and guests headed by In Hyuk Sah

JKN Janet Small receiving her trophy for Grand Champion

Being called up to collect my certificate from the Grandmaster & In Joo Suh

Certificate in hand, and huge smile on face

PSBN Jon Denny recieving his promotion to SBN

Getting a numb bum, but still smiling

One of the masters breaking three concrete blocks with a hand strike

SBN Demo team. SBN Matt Goldspinks and SBN David Ellis close to camera

SBN David Ellis at the Masters Exhibition

The 2010 Kuk Sool Won Promotions

JKN Andy and SBN Jon Denny

JKN Andy and KSN Lee

JKN Helen and JKN Andy

PKJN Alison, JKN Andy, and JIKJN Martin

SungWoo Alex Suh and JKN Andy

JKN Andy and In Huk Sah (Grandmaster)

Sung Jin Suh and JKN Andy

KSN Mike and JKN Andy

JKN Andy and my certificate of Dahn

What it’s all been about, my Kuk Sool Won 1st dahn certificate

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Here’s a short video of us practicing Joo Muhk Maga Ki Bohn Soo, as a newly promoted Jyo Kyo Nim, where we are getting ready for the Kuk Sool Won Masters Exhibition 2010 in Kings Lynn.

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