I go to Belmar, a fortuitous choice because two entertaining Beach Sweep veterans are on hand to show me the ropes, the fishing lines, the pens, the candy wrappers and all the other junk marring the sand.
Ms. LoMedico called removing the fire pits a "very tough decision" but noted that people could still bring their own grills to the beaches, something veteran roasters say is just not the same as a blaze in the 5-foot-by-5-foot, 15-inch-deep pits.
Even on the Normandy beaches, where American veterans traditionally journey, Americans this year have been staying away, according to tour operators there.
The veteran beach bum and the studly lifeguard still call the place home, as do the bicyclist carrying a surfboard under one arm, and the middle-aged woman walking her Pomeranian while puffing on a joint at noon.
5.55pm BST At the international ceremony on Sword beach in Ouistreham, French veteran Leon Gautier of the Kieffer commando (on the left, below) and German veteran paratrooper Johannes Borner (on the right) have embraced on stage as a sign of reconciliation.
Sixty years after they charged onto beaches here, aged American veterans strolled past tourist hotels on Beachfront Street on Tuesday in a parade marking the start of the 60th anniversaries of a series of battles that they describe as the "D-Days of the Pacific".
"CONCERTS ON THE GREEN," Veterans Bicentennial Park, Beach Haven.
The two met on Friday as Obama greeted veterans at Omaha beach before his speech.
Concerts Under the Stars series, through Sept. 4. Veterans Bicentennial Park, Beach Avenue, between Engleside and Amber.
Wednesday at 7 p.m. Free Concerts Under the Stars series, through Sept. 4. Veterans Bicentennial Park, Beach Avenue, between Eangleside and Amber.
The contrast with today could not have been greater as he joined many other veterans on "Gold" Beach, amid a festival atmosphere.
