How about a sad and thought-provoking experience to share and one of the primary reasons we chose this particular cruise? The beaches of Normandy. Our cruise company took us to the American cemetery early one day before the crowds, and held a small ceremony playing both the U.S. national anthem (Brits and Canadians had a separate tour) and Taps and gave us each a rose to place on any grave we wished among the 9,387 crosses that stood starkly against the green. Absolutely no one was dry eyed that time and very few could sing the anthem! So many brave young men who gave their lives to save our lives from a wave of horror that spread across Europe. My father was in North Africa a few weeks after this invasion and was one of those moving up through Italy sweeping the Nazis back. It was only the luck of the draw that he lived to come home and share in the freedom that he and others had fought for.
The veterans were called to come to the front so that we could honor their service. Yes, we were all the old folks. Our French guide thanked us for fighting to free his country and hubby later went up to thank him for his countrymen and their role in ensuring our revolution's success.
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Just a few yards away were the bodies of so many souls and a debt we can only repay by continuing to make sure our freedoms are safe. The names of 1,557 Americans who lost their lives in the Normandy campaign but could not be located and/or identified are inscribed on the walls of a semicircular garden at the east side of the memorial.
We also stopped at the German bunkers where Naziis had watched the landing and even delayed their response waiting for orders from a higher command.
Above is the Statue Les Braves. "The Wings of Hope ---So that the spirit which carried these men on 6th June 1944, continues to inspire us, reminding us that together it is always possible to change the future. Rise of Freedom ---So that the example of those who rose up against barbarity, helps us remain standing strong against all forms on inhumanity. The Wings of Fraternity---So that the surge of brotherhood always reminds of our responsibility towards others as well as ourselves."
And that event in history was today June 6 back in 1944.
Heck, I even tend to choke on the anthem during a hockey game. :)
ReplyDeleteLove the Statue Les Braves. History comes alive when you visit these places.
ReplyDeleteThis is a part of France i never got to see, and i hope to someday.
ReplyDeleteWhat a timely post. Thank you for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen pictures from there like the ones you have shown today. It must be an awesome site to see all those crosses and hear the taps. In the states the cemetery at Andersonville in Georgia is also a sight to see with the graves of so many American soldiers, both North and South who died for their cause in that awful time.
ReplyDeleteInspiring photos. My son's birthday is this day. We didn't plan it that way but it always connects the events in my mind somehow.
ReplyDeletethose poor boys, watching as wave after wave got mowed down knowing it would soon be thier turn to try and make it past the beach.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteChokes me up enough to read the blog post about it. I remember in the first minute of Saving Private Ryan I bawled, the first time a movie did that so fast. Yesterday the grandboys and Joe played D-Day at the creek. The boys love playing army games and hearing about past wars.
ReplyDeleteFamous last words: Enough about Paris!
Love the Statue Les Braves. Thanks for your very moving post. I will be there in August, do hope there aren't too many crowds.
ReplyDeleteIt hasn't been many years since we were there too. It was late April, crowds were slight, and there was rain at the cemetery but not on the beaches. The memories of that day linger. I am enjoying your travel posts.
ReplyDeleteI stood on that beach and climbed those dunes to be faced with the German guns. The whole place is inhabited by horror and I could not shake the feeling until we reached the graves and then the feeling became one of resigned peace.
ReplyDeleteI've never been there. What an incredible place. The Wings of Hope is a beautiful memorial. What a perfect post!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful photos. Did you take all of them?
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful beach spot to hold such terrible memories. Love those huge, abstract sculptures!
ReplyDeleteIf you get a chance, get over to Bretagne and look at the roadside markers for the route taken by the American army when they arrived in France. They look like Daleks (!) but they are still in pretty good shape, one per kilometer. Not sure where they end; the ones I saw were west of Rennes (which is, by the way, a lovely city).
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