D-DAY. FIVE BEACH LANDINGS AND A DAY THAT CHANGED HISTORY
WWII D-Day Landing Commemorative Plaque
This is the ONLY collectible with sand from all five Normandy D-Day landing beaches – Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. It is sure to be an honored part of your World War II collection and an heirloom for your family.
Now you can commemorate the Allied sacrifice on D-Day with this limited edition plaque of the Final Overlord Plan which displays the actual sand from all the D-Day landing beaches in Normandy. Made of red alder wood, these handsome laser-engraved plaques are the only collectibles to include the actual sand from all five landing beaches in Normandy–Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword – collected during the 7th decade anniversary of D-Day.
Certain to become centerpieces of your World War II collection, and an heirloom for your family, this special Final Overload Plan plaque is available for only $99.99, plus shipping.
Each plaque will come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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 sand comes from each of the Normandy invasion beaches code named Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. More specifically, the sand was collected from the exact location of each of the initial first wave assaults of the Allied forces into France.
Why does the sand from each landing beach appear so different from the others?
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.
I have heard that you can find bits of shrapnel in the sand. Is that true?
Amazingly enough, you can. It does appear that you can find iron/steel in the Normandy sand. We initially were able to locate the shrapnel in the sand from Omaha Beach so far, though research indicates it is possible to find it in all the invasion beaches. Some research indicates that up to 4% of the make up of the sand is shrapnel. When you get your plaque, place a strong magnet over the vial of Omaha Beach sand and you might be able to attract very, very small particles to the magnet. All the sand from Omaha that we have tested to date has shown this to be true. We now have just found pieces of shrapnel in the Utah and Gold sand also!! Good luck!!!!
Surprisingly enough to us, we have found iron/steel in all the other beach sand.
How much sand is in each vial?
Each vial contains 5/8 dram, or 1/12th of an ounce of sand.
What is the size of my plaque?
Each plaque is 9” x 12” and ¾” thick and weighs just over 24 ounces.
Will the wood of my plaque look different than the one that you show?
Wood is a natural product, and no two plaques will look the same. Some will be darker, some will be lighter, and some will have a different wood grain. The plaques we are using are red alder wood.
How can I display my plaque?
The plaque has a keyhole cut out on the back to hang it on the wall. Another way to display your plaque would be to purchase a small easel, or upright plate display stand (remember the plaque weighs over 1 ½ pounds). This seems to be the preferred way to display the plaques.
Can I remove the vials from the plaque?
Yes, the vials can be removed with a little bit of effort. They are held in by the friction of the cap against the wood. You can carefully “wiggle” them out and push them back in. Remember, if you take the vials out, you should take out one at a time and replace it before looking at another. They are not marked as to which beach they belong to. You might have a plan to mark them yourselves so you can replace them in their correct slot. We have found that a small adhesive label (1/4” x ¾”or smaller) attached to the back of the vial will allow you to write the name of the beach and return it to its correct position on the plaque. A label this size cannot be seen from the front when displayed.
What is a certificate of authenticity?
A certificate of authenticity (COA) is commonly a seal on paper authenticating a specific art work which and is made to demonstrate that the item is authentic. COAs are mostly common in the art world. Generally speaking, a valid COA for an artwork will include specific details about the artwork like when and how it was produced, the names of people involved in the artwork’s production, the work’s exact title, and the names of reference.
Your COA will be printed, signed and notarized as to the collection, location, and provenance of the sand from the invasion beaches of Normandy.
Robert –
Excellent service, and the plaque is incredible.
Gregory Lansberry –
I spent seven days in Normandy last May, just prior to the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. I walked every one of the five beaches and this plaque will always be an outstanding reminder of my trip.
Steven Wade –
Lam –
Absolutely stunning piece of work that’s so obviously crafted with immense love and precision. I’m beyond excited to gift this to my special person ~ I know they’ll appreciate this as much as I do. It was very well packed so it survived the lengthy travel beautifully. If you’re on the fence about purchasing this DO NOT HESITATE! Joel is a thorough communicator and a pleasure to work with. Thank you so much!
Dennis P. –
This really exceeded my expectations. What a collectible!!!
Steve –
To look at this and imagine what it was like. Truly a historical work of collectible art. Incredible idea and craftmanship. Thanks!!!
Hugh –
Absolutely gorgeous!
Richard C. –
Having the plaque in my hands blows away all the pictures that I have seen in the ads and online. This is incredible with so much history to tell. Thanks Joel
Eric Weil –
First met Joel at a Reading WWII Weekend and was extremely impressed. My kids bought the D-Day map and sand for my birthday and it hangs today in my office. I look at it every day and each time it brings chills. Extraordinarily well done and a constant reminder of the sacrifice of the men and women of the greatest generation. Was at the most recent MAAW weekend at Reading and saw Joel again. Cannot recommend anything with more enthusiasm than this. Like me you will be thanking yourself or whoever gets this for you every time you look at it. I do that every day. And thanks for the use of the Sharpie
Jeff –
Great looking plaque. Thank you!!!
Dustin Schappell –
I have been enjoying Joel’s plaques for years and just purchased 5 more as gifts! They are a unique piece of tangible history for those who can’t travel to these exotic locations to get there own sand and experience these sacred grounds. These battlefields of the past, soaked with patriot blood that have ensured our freedom and way of life are uniquely represented in these plaques and worth every penny!
John Oswald –
This is my second plaque, I kept this one for myself. These plaques are so unique and detailed, not to mention the history behind it. The service was wonderful and could not be improved upon.
Dee –
Thank you Joel for your honesty on the price. My husband loved it and he is a WWII buff and ordered another one for a friend of his. Order came quickly and was very well packaged. Would highly recommend to order one if you are a history person.
John Gillespie –
What a beautiful, meaningful piece of history. A great idea that is without competition. Thank you for my Day of Days Productions plaque Joel!!
Chad H. –
Wonderfully presented item and great quality. The detail in the wood is very well done and the vials of sand really add a real-life aspect to the presentation. I teach high school history and I can’t wait to share this item with my students. Great communication and customer service. Appreciate the fact that part of the proceeds go to a military charity.
Anne B. –
Ordered for my U.S. History teacher hubby. He absolutely loved this. He said the workmanship is outstanding. We would definitely order again. Thanks Joel for the prompt customer service too. No easy feat at Christmas time!
Robert D. –
Great product. Fine craftsmanship. Love the sand from these beaches included. Definitely a must for the history buff. Wonderful gift for someone who would appreciate this.
Michael R. –
Beautifully finished! Well worth the price! Loved, loved, loved it!
Gary Edlund –
I recieved my plaque as a Christmas present from my son’s girlfriend. I LOVE it ! As I was looking at it, I was so impressed with the accuracy of locations placed on it. Looking at the sand and seeing the difference in each vial was very impressive. I have a room that is full of military memorabilia and this plaque will look fantastic as an addition to the room. Thank you for making things like this available to us. I also like the idea the a portion of each sale goes to WWII Museum.
Tim F. –
I ordered both this plaque, and the Iwo Jima one. Both were impeccable and well appreciated by both gift recipients. Each came with a certificate of authenticity, which was notarized, if, for any reason, someone doubted authenticity (which I did not). The plaques are fantastic, and I would highly recommend
RICKY JOHNSON –
Dylan –
Beyond pleased with the plaque it’s an absolute must have for military historians. The quality is exceptional and would look great in any museum let alone your own war room library or really anywhere you should choose to hang it.
Randy Walker –
Love this plaque! Very well done. Would highly recommend to anyone. Very satisfied.