I did not participate, but 5 of the 7 participants I spoke to about it rated it their best experience of the vacation. It particularly hit home with the two grandfathers in the group that were children at the time of the invasion and had recollections from news reports they heard at the time and from reading they had done on the subject. Even in light of the challenging weather of the day, exceptionally positive reports of the experience.
Alain seemed to be going through the motions and didn't know some basic things, that we learned later going back with another guide (for example, the numbers on the back of the american graves/headstones in the american cemetary were actually dog tag numbers). We don't know why but he seemed to lack enthusiasm for the tour - maybe it was us?
For the amount of money that was spent on the day, I felt we did not get our money's worth. The reasons include: 1. We were picked up at 11 am and at no time during the day was water or soda provided nor was there a thought that the car should stop along the way for water. 2. We were dropped at the train station at 6pm and had 7 hours of no food or water for our children. 3. The only rest room that we were provided the entire day as a disgusting public bathroom. 4. I felt the person who gave the tour could have been more enthusiastic regarding the sites. While he was happy to answer any questions, he seemed more concerned with getting to the specific places and rushing through them.