D-Day tours with children

I visited the American Cemetery in Margraten, Holland when I was nine years old, and it had an enormous impact on my life. Acres and acres of dead American teenagers who stepped forward to be a part of something they held to be more important than themselves. Take the kids. The capacity for valor resides in every American, and it doesn't hurt to give that impulse a tickle early in life. Remember the heroes on Flight 93.
regards, Charlie

The reason for the tour provider recommending 12 or older for their tour is important and is not stated in your original post.If the tour provider's reason is to preserve the desired level of decorum in cemeteries and they're concerned 8 yr old's behavior may be disruptive, that's something to consider. Also, if the age requirement is basically a rule and not just a recommendation, that matters. If the tour provider's reason is that your 8 yo may see and hear things that are disturbing, that would get my attention and would make me wonder if they know something about their tour that I don't know. Maybe you choose a tour where the tour providers do not have such a rule?

Charlie,

Thanks. My son is 10 and is as much a WWII junky as I, so I'm not too worried about him. My daughter is 8, and although attentive and respectful, may get bored with a 8 hour tour. I have 2 teenage nephews, my wife, and mother going as well, so I'm sure we can keep her busy.

I was looking at the Battlebus tour, as it comes highly recommended. So long as I choose the private tour, I can bring my kids, but just not sure how they will be with the kids.

Chad

Hi Chad, We went on a one-day tour with Battlebus. It was really good, but had a lot of standing in one place time listening to the guide (maybe 15-20 mins at a time). Not sure if this would be easy with younger children. Probably St. Mere Eglise will be most interesting for the kids with the museum and the town and also Pont du Hoc with the bunkers. The beaches are just beaches--it's the stories that make them interesting. Maybe with a private tour, the guide will walk more while talking which may be good for kids. Also, the wind on the beach was cold.