My mission is to ensure that I offer only the most historically accurate products available, and I am committed to upholding our integrity without compromise. This dedication is reflected in the fact that I personally collected all the sand used in my plaques, filmed all the accompanying videos, and secured notarized affirmations of authenticity for each item.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is so special about collecting the actual sand from these WWII landing beaches?
It is estimated the world has over 100,000 ocean beaches with sand. We have found that all grains of sand in the world yearn to be displayed on a Day of Days Productions® historic collectible plaque. Unfortunately many grains of sand want to apply, but very, very few are chosen. In fact, only twenty six beaches made the cut and were selected for my plaques. That is .026 % of all the ocean beach sand in the world. You can now own some of these very rare sand grains from these twenty six beaches displayed on a beautiful laser engraved Red Alder wood plaque.
Where was the sand collected from in Normandy?
The landing area on D-Day covered approximately 50 miles of France’s northern coastline in Normandy. The original and actual sand collected from Normandy was gathered from the specific locations of the initial Allied assaults on D-Day, covering the beaches known as Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword along the northern French coastline. You can own the only collectible plaque in the world displaying all the sand from the Normandy invasion beaches.
Where was the sand collected from for the US Army Landing and Operations plaque?
For the US Army Landing and Operations plaque, the original and actual sand was collected from various significant sites, including Fedala, Morocco; Gela, Sicily; Salerno and Anzio, Italy; Omaha and Utah Beaches, France as well as Sainte-Maxime, France. The code names for these landing beaches were Torch, Husky, Avalanche, Shingle, Utah, Omaha, and Dragoon. You can own the only collectible plaque in the world displaying all the original sand from the United States Army European Theater of Operation landing beaches.
Where was the sand* collected from for the Iwo Jima Landing Plan plaque?
Regarding the Iwo Jima Landing Plan plaque, the original and actual sand was collected from the beaches where the United States Marine Corps landed on February 19, 1945, including Green, Red 1, Red 2, Yellow 1, Yellow 2, Blue 1, and the summit of Mount Suribachi. You can own the only collectible plaque in the world displaying Iwo Jima sand.
Wait..!! What!? You have another new plaque? When did this happen?
With all the research and travel it was bound to happen. The fourth, and (probably not the final plaque) was launched in September 2023. It honors all the United States Marines with the original and actual sand from eight WWII Pacific landing beaches. As again, this is the only collectible plaque with sand from these USMC landing beaches in the Pacific Theater of Operation. The landing beaches are Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The code names for these landings are Watchtower, Galvanic, Forager, Stalemate, Detachment and Iceberg.
Why does the sand in all your plaques look so much different from the other landing beaches?
Beaches come in many colors: white, black, tan, yellow, red, and more. The geology of the surrounding area determines the color of those rocks. This determines what material is available for a beach. The colors are from the different rocks and minerals that make up the sand. The color of the sand on any particular beach usually reflects the surrounding landscape and the makeup of the adjoining ocean floor.
Will you have a limited number of your ETO Plaques available?
No, these plaques will not be limited in numbers.
Will you have a limited number of your Iwo Jima Plaques available?
Possibly. Iwo Jima is not the easiest place in the world to get to. Ito Jima (as it is now known) in all respects does not exist except as a Japanese Military Base.
Will you have a limited number of your new USMC WWII Pacific Theater of Operation Landing available?
Again, possibly. Iwo Jima is not the easiest place in the world to get to. Ito Jima (as it is now known) in all respects does not exist except as a Japanese Military Base. And in case you do not study maps, these islands are very difficult to get to and from.
Do you have any licenses to sell your plaques?
I am licensed as a retail vendor in South Carolina and have transient vendor licenses for other states I might offer our plaques in person.
I have heard that you can find bits of shrapnel in the sand. Is that true?
Amazingly enough, you can. Evidence suggests that iron and steel can indeed be found in the sands of Normandy, particularly at Omaha Beach, where we’ve successfully located shrapnel. Research indicates that shrapnel may constitute up to 4% of the sand composition across all the invasion beaches. If you have a vial of sand from Omaha Beach, try placing a strong magnet over it; you might attract tiny metal particles, as all tested samples have confirmed this phenomenon. Excitingly, we’ve also discovered shrapnel in the sands of Utah and Gold beaches. However, it’s worth noting that we have yet to find similar materials in the sand from Fedala.
What about finding bits of shrapnel in the sand* from Iwo Jima?
As for Iwo Jima, the situation is even more pronounced, with the sand there likely containing a significantly higher percentage of shrapnel due to the intense bombardment during the landings.
How much sand is in each vial of your plaques?
Each vial of sand included in your Final Overlord Plan and European Theater of Operation plaques holds 5/8 dram, or about 1/12th of an ounce, while the Iwo Jima and Pacific Theater plaques contain 1/2 dram, roughly 1/16th of an ounce.
What is the size of my plaque?
The plaques themselves measure 9” x 12” and are ¾” thick, weighing just over 24 ounces.
Will the wood of my plaque look different than the ones you show on your website?
Keep in mind that the wood used for your plaque will vary in appearance, as it is a natural material, resulting in unique differences in color and grain. The appearance of your plaque will differ from those displayed on our website, as wood is a natural material and each piece is unique. Variations in color and grain are to be expected, with some plaques being darker or lighter than others. Now having said that, the laser engraving will be different on every plaques due to the composition of the wood. Our plaques are crafted from red alder wood sourced from the Pacific Northwest and proudly labeled “Made in the USA.”
How can I display my plaque?
For displaying your plaque, it features a keyhole cutout on the back for wall hanging, or you can opt for a small easel or upright plate stand, keeping in mind that the plaque weighs over 1.5 pounds. If you choose to use sand vials, be aware that while each vial is light, their combined weight may cause the plaque to hang unevenly. A simple solution is to use a small piece of tape or a silicone pad on the back for better balance.
Can I remove the vials from the plaque?
Yes, with difficulty, and with the chance of breakage. I strongly advise you to look and admire only and leave the vials where they are set.
Can I get a discount if I purchase more than one plaque?
Yes. Purchasing any two or more plaques will be discounted $10.00 each.
I live in South Carolina. Do I have to pay sales tax?
Yes. If you live in South Carolina, you will also pay 8% sales tax. However, if you contact us using the CONTACT US form and let me know your South Carolina address, we will email you a coupon code for FREE SHIPPING for South Carolina residents to offset some of the sales tax “bite!!”
When can I expect to get my plaque?
Due to high demand for these collector items, delivery may take up to two weeks, although current shipping times are around three days from the order date, processed on a first-come, first-served basis. We aim to expedite this process as we catch up on orders. If you need faster delivery for a special occasion, please use our “Contact Us” page, or call us at 803-663-7854 and leave a message if you reach the answering machine.
What is a certificate of authenticity?
A certificate of authenticity (COA) serves as a formal declaration that verifies the legitimacy of a specific artwork, primarily found in the art industry. Typically, a valid COA will detail essential information about the piece, including its title, production date, and the individuals involved in its creation. For instance, a COA for sand sourced from the Normandy invasion beaches or the Iwo Jima Landing Beaches will be printed, signed, and notarized, confirming its provenance.
It can’t be my eyes but I keep seeing the ” * ” character when you mention sand* from the Iwo Jima Landing Plan plaque. Am I missing something?
It’s important to note that the “sand” from Iwo Jima is not the typical beach variety; it is volcanic in nature, formed when hot lava meets cool seawater, resulting in explosive fragmentation that creates sharp basaltic glass grains, distinct from ordinary sand.
Is there a copyright or trademark on your on the plaques and business?
All plaques associated with this business, Day of Days Productions®, are copyrighted and and Day of Days Productions® is our registered trademark, ensuring legal protection.
I heard that you donate a portion of your proceeds to a World War II 501(c)(3) foundation. Is that true?
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of United States Army and Marine Corps plaques is donated to respective World War II foundations, supporting the legacy of those who served.
