My wife and I traveled on the combination Easy Eight and Normandy/D-Day tour in October 2024. I have not stopped thinking about it since our return. On a personal level, we were able to connect to my father's service with the 100th BG through the kind attention of volunteers at Thorpe Abbotts. On a more general educational level, we learned about the incredible story of the Eighth Air Force and the overall D-Day invasion in a deeply affecting way through carefully chosen speakers and guides at multiple historic sites, museums, and cemeteries- some available to us only because of Mark's connections. The trip was easy and worry-free as everything was taken care of for us, and the hotels and meals were excellent. Our travel companions were fun and interesting and we enjoyed them all. Occasional free time allowed for a breather. Much more than a sight-seeing trip for us, the trip fulfilled our goals completely, and we highly recommend it- thanks to Mark and the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth. In addition to providing facts and dates along the way, Mark was able to personalize the trip and add small thoughtful touches that we all appreciated. Tom L -Son of a 100th Bomb Group B17 pilot, shot down while on his 33rd mission and later "guest of the Third Reich."

We enjoyed every minute of the trip. We finally got to see Thorpe Abbots field where our dad was based in 1943-1944, a truly emotional and humbling moment. The other excursions were amazing, our fearless leader Mark was exceptional and we cannot praise highly enough our accommodations and excellent food. It was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you so much!

AWESOME! AMAZING! INCREDIBLE! Pick your adjective and insert it. This was a once in a life time experience and I would unreservedly recommend it to anyone. It was a kick in the gut and I realized I was walking in the path of history. I can not recommend this tour enough to anyone thinking of visiting Normandy. Accommodations were 5 star all the way with wonderful rooms and staff. Meals were delicious and congenial with the group enjoying our repast while recounting our experiences of the day. Some of the venues were just amazing. The dinner in the wine cellar at the Angel comes to mind. Mark Copeland and the tour guides were were like magicians pulling rabbits out of hats with the information provided. I lost my passport on the way home. Mark located it and got it to me in time to make my flight on time for which I am VERY grateful. There were some bumps. American's don't care for egg salad or cheese & chutney sandwiches in the box lunches while traveling from Windsor to Calais. Bus had NO charging outlets. Nobody was able to recharge devices while on the road. Time management. Many days we didn't get back until 6 pm or later. Is it possible to get back about 4:30 or 5 pm? That would give us time to relax before dinner or shop locally if we wanted. Is it necessary to delay departure in the morning until 9:30 am? What about leaving 30 minutes or an hour earlier? Fewer group dinners. I would have liked to spend my time either alone or in small groups discovering the towns we were staying at. One of the best dinners was our stop at TESCO's and just buying a sandwich to eat in the room. The historians with us were under-utilized. We spent 1 to 2+ hours a day on the bus each way to the tour sites. Have the historian prepare lectures on the topics or sites were visiting and give them to a captive audience. The visit to the actual Brecourt Manor can be cut from the tour. It was nice and is a talking point at home but didn't lend anything to the overall experience. Drop it and have the historian describe the battle from point of view of the memorial at the crossroads. The American Cemetery at Cambridge was a Spiritual Experience. The American Cemetery we visited in France was a circus. There were 200 to 300 visitors there. Nobody was being disrespectful but the numbers gave it the air of a carnival to me. Then there was "another" wreath laying ceremony. Sorry, this was a waste of time. It was already mid-afternoon AND we'd yet to see OMAHA beach. This was a vastly more important location to me than another cemetery. Further, the Docent REFUSED to direct me to the graves I wanted to see. Instead she insisted I MUST take her "dog & pony" show. I walked off in the disgust. After wasting an hour here and it's now approaching 3pm were told their is a flag lowering happening and we can stay! I BLEW UP!!! To Mark's credit he realized that there was a problem. He did make sure we made it to OMAHA Beach and the D-Day Museum which was very good. St. Paul's was a waste of time. Due to traffic on the M25 we were almost 1 hour late. To compound matters there were services planned later that afternoon and we had about 1 hour before being thrown out. To pile on further a 100+ voice choir was practicing for an event latter in the week. The Vicar wouldn't or couldn't talk over the noise and could not be heard. I mentioned this and she had a pointed insulting comment in reply. You had a crowd of men over 65 who have been on the bus 2+ hours without a bathroom break. When this was mentioned the Vicar pointed to some stairs and claimed one of the group knew the way. NOPE! He had no idea where we were going. We wondered around the basement for a few minutes trying to find the bathroom. I thought of urinating in the baptismal font but decided against it. OH, the Vicar told us she wasn't holding the tour. Thanks a lot lady. Can you tell I'm pissed over this? I'm not done. Turns out the bathrooms are outside the ticketed area. When I asked about this we were told to just show our tickets to return. Tickets, what tickets!?!? Am I living in a Mel Brooks movie? After a short discussion we were allowed to return to the tour when we could track them down. I was so disgusted with this charade I just wondered around on my own taking pictures and pining to leave. Then came lunch at the French Bistro across the street. I wound up in a private table off to the side away from everyone. Thanks a lot. Food wasn't appetizing. I didn't like the chicken and I couldn't get a British Beer. I'm in England. I am not interested in drinking French beer. Wasted lunch opportunity. I would have enjoyed going to McDonalds next door much more. Respectfully, William J. Dutour

“Nothing’s the same, Croz. Nothing. Never will be.” (Rosie in Episode Eight) Cheers to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force for offering this intimate and unique trip. What a treat for my brother, sister and I to have personal glimpses of Thorpe Abbotts where our dad flew 25 missions with the 100th Bomb Group. Our boutique hotels exceeded our expectations. This was a pilgrimage for us and nothing will ever be the same. Nothing. Sally Tee Proud Daughter of Winfred L. Tee

We had an incredible time. Mark made the entire trip informational and fun. I know he got us in to places we would never able to see on our own and he did a fantastic job of accommodating everyone on the trip. Particularly in getting families that had relatives in the Mighty 8th to be able to visit their wartime bases. I cannot say enough about his dedication, knowledge, thoroughness and thoughtfulness!