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EntryNo: 148  Date: Monday 20:53 08.03.2010 Boomer Corbett Hi Ellwood, Thank you for a wonderful D-Day experience on your tour. I have read extensively about many of the main characters of D-Day and of the day itself. You brought everything to life, and standing in the exact spot where events happened, and listening to you relate the actual happenings, what the various individuals did, and most of all, why things happened the way they did was simply a wonderful experience. You set the tone with your military style briefing, and then we were off and running. I think we packed two days worth of action into one very full day. Your knowledge and understanding of the events is astounding and very much appreciated. Thanks also for the bonus viewing of your own personal museum. I could have spent a whole day there! Thanks again  EntryNo: 147  Date: Thursday 20:16 25.02.2010 Ann Privrasky My long time friend and I took Elwood's tour in September, 2009 and LOVED it. I had been to the Beaches once before but my friend had not, but on this day we both learned so much about June 6 and the tactical plans. We particularly liked that Ellwood gave German information as well. The Peace Museum in Caen includes German information and it is helpful for the total picture of that day. We had a private tour, but it ended up that a couple from Philadelphia joined us, which widened our interaction. Ellwood started out with a lecture format in his home that was extremely helpful and set the stage for things we saw later. We are two women but it never occurred to us that we would not be interested in the content. Some of the details of the weaponry escaped me, but I was on board with all the rest of it. My only comment is that for us, eight hours was a bit tiring, six hours would have been perfect, but then we wouldn't have seen everything that we did. If you want to learn, this is THE tour to take.  EntryNo: 146  Date: Wednesday 15:05 17.02.2010 Jeff Scheper My wife and I just finished our D-Day tour with Ellwood the 2nd week of February, 2010 and what a great day it was! Ellwood is incredibly knowledgeable about all things D-Day and we had a blast learning and sharing the day with him. I am a big fan of WWII military history and weapons of that era so Ellwood and I had a lot of fun discussing the facts, figures, men and machines that made D-Day such an amazing part of history. Ellwood is very energetic, a great host and overall just a really nice gentleman whose passion for his subject creates energy and excitement throughout the day and at every stop of his D-Day tour. My wife and I can't wait to return to take the tour again with our 3 children. Thank you Ellwood for a historic day in a historic area! Jeff and Jane Scheper February 16, 2010  EntryNo: 145  Date: Sunday 19:49 20.12.2009 Seppo and friends November 3rd 2009 was a rainy and windy day when we (two couples from Finland) arrived to Ste-Mere-Eglise. We had booked a D-Day Battle Tour in advance and were curious about what to see and hear. Ellwood took us first to his home where we got an overview what happened in Normandy in June 1944. This was a good start for us. We had obviously limited knowledge about the landing and its unbelievable preparations. After the lunch Ellwood drove us to the famous American landing places Utah, Omaha and La Pointe du Hoc. The last one was totally unknown for us. The tour ended in American cemetery. Here you finally start to understand how crazy the war is. So many young soldiers lost their lives in this big and decisive action. To better remember the events we purchased Ellwood’s D-Day DVD. That was a good addition to the experience which we had. Later on we tried to swallow everything which we saw. Our conclusion was that Ellwood has made a fantastic package. His knowledge about the D-Day events is outstanding and we will definitely recommend him to our friends. According to Ellwood we were his first Finnish clients but certainly not the last ones.  EntryNo: 144  Date: Tuesday 03:39 08.12.2009 Brad and Cindy Wiewel - Austin, Texas My wife and I, along with our three teenaged sons, (18, 16 & 14) arranged for a D-Day tour with Ellwood for the 4th of July, 2009. We have NEVER had a better Independence Day! Ellwood met us at the train station from Paris, and treated us to non-stop action. It started with a brief tour of Sainte Mere Eglise, lunch at the tasty C-47 Cafe, and a walk-thru of the ONLY Waco gilder still in existence. Then it off to Utah Beach, Pointe Du Hoc (which our boys found especially cool!), and then on to Omaha Beach and the American Military Cemetery which was created just two days after the invasion. Throughout the day, Ellwood kept us and our children totally engaged, and never "bored". We caught an early evening train back to Paris, and were back in our hotel room early enough to relax and reflect on our outstanding adventure!  EntryNo: 143  Date: Tuesday 15:52 03.11.2009 Robert and Melissa Sadowski My wife and I booked the tour with Ellwood back in May. Upon meeting Ellwood, I could tell he was an intense kind of person, not uptight in any sort of way-quite the contrary Ellwood is a very nice fellow. Rather he strikes you as someone who is intelligent and thorough much like that of a proper commanding officer, if you will. He is not some tour guide with a half-baked knowledge of the topic. History, particularly WW2 history, is a passion of Ellwood’s. He is the real deal. The tour is not someone passively telling you facts and stories. Through Ellwood's manner and personality, you become engaged in the topic. I will not go through the details of the tour as it is best experienced personally--a second hand account simply will not do it justice. That said, the entire D-Day operation is covered, from the initial planning and key persons involved, to the Allied securing of the beaches to the recognition of all who gave their lives and the creation of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial. In addition Ellwood shares many personal stories of meeting several soldiers, from both sides. Overall the tour is about 7-8 hours in length including a small break for lunch. That may seem like a long time, but it goes by fast. I have been on many historic tours in my life but this was by far the best. Not only do you walk away with so much knowledge of the planning and execution of the Normandy Invasion, but you also gain a newfound respect for those who risked and gave their lives on that morning. I would highly recommend anyone who takes a trip to France and is interested in WW2 history or history in general, to set a day aside and take the tour with Ellwood. You will not be disappointed We would also must mention our sincere gratitude to the nice people of Carentan; the kind woman who drove my (at the time) 18-month old son, my wife and myself all over the town and to the owner and his wife of the restaurant near the train station. You were so gracious and helpful to my family when we were left stranded at the train station at 11:30pm. We cannot thank you enough, nor will we ever forget your kindness toward a bunch of distraught strangers from America on that night.  EntryNo: 142  Date: Friday 19:59 23.10.2009 Victoria Mullin Gorelik The guided tour was such an unbelievable way to see the area and to hear this remarkable story. Ellwood's extensive knowledge and undeniable enthusiasm was truly contagious.  EntryNo: 141  Date: Thursday 18:09 08.10.2009 Amelia McNutt My admiration and study of the United States Military reaches from Breed’s Hill through Gettysburg and Verdun to the Coast of Normandy and beyond. My journey to Normandy was nothing less than a Pilgrimage. I have never had such a comprehensive tour as the one provided by Ellwood. I thoroughly enjoyed and was totally immersed into the D-Day experience. His tactical knowledge, presentation of command, strategy and political issues was of a remarkably high caliber. From the minutia of an M-1 rifle to the actions of Churchill, Eisenhower, Montgomery and Brooke, Ellwood was extraordinary. He was omnipresent and factual, and yet thoughtful enough to leave me to find my own Peace at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mur. His representation of the United States citizen soldiers who valiantly fought liberating Europe was illustrious indeed. Upon completion of my tour, I thanked Ellwood for his astonishing efforts, and for his patriotic venerations of the United States. I offered the gratitude of an entire nation. I recommend this experience to any American. It in itself is a reason to go to France. Well done Ellwood, “Crack-on!” Amelia McNutt Boston, MA  EntryNo: 140  Date: Friday 15:56 25.09.2009 Norman We were on a Rick Steves tour Sept. 22 and had the pleasure to have Ellwood as our guide for the whole day. What a tour! He was interesting, funny, witty and extremely informative. If you ever have an opportunity to tour the D Day sites with Ellwood do it! We couldn't imagine touring the sites on our own without such a knowledgeable guide. Thanks again for your great insights.  EntryNo: 139  Date: Tuesday 00:57 22.09.2009 John and Kathryn Oliver I'm a CPT in the 82nd and it was a truly great experience to tour Normandy. Ellwood was beyond amazing as a tour guide. I can't wait to go back. My wife also really enjoyed the tour, which was a huge plus since she's neither military nor a history buff. next page »