Letter From Paris: Obamarific in Normandy

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrived a little earlier than expected for the magnificent D-Day celebration the French had been busy preparing in Normandy. President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy had invited the American First Couple to enjoy the countryside, taste the Camembert and Pont L'Eveque cheeses, sip some of the refreshing cidre, and the world-famous apple brandy called Calvados.

Barack wanted to knock back a slug of the Calvados first thing in the morning like the old Frenchmen who had survived the World War that ravaged their beautiful region--but thought better of it. One thing his mama had said was don't drink before breakfast. He knew that seeing the D-Day beaches would be emotional for all those gathered along the English Channel and for those watching from home. For all the families of the men and women who'd fought and given their lives. For those who'd lived through the war.

And so the American First Couple came to celebrate the historic and moving anniversary of D-Day.

Beth Arnold lives and writes in Paris. To see more of her work--including more Obamarific--go to www.betharnold.com.