IT'S UP TO US TO REMEMBER!!
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| Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial |
On November 2, 2010 Bob and I were standing here. You may remember, that was National Election Day in the USA. That fact was not lost on the little group of Americans who visited Normandy, France with us that day.
Tears came to my eyes when I thought about the young men who gave their lives here June 6, 1945.
Without their sacrifice we might not have had the same election that we were having. I wondered if anyone in my homeland made that connection as they cast their vote (Bob and I had voted earlier).
To a size of 172.5 acres, the Normandy American Cemetery has 9,387 burials of US service men and women. Of this number, some 307 are unknowns, three are Medal of Honour winners and four are women. In addition there are 33 pairs of brothers buried side by side. It is estimated that 5,000 died on D-Day at Omaha Beach. (This paragraph of text and additional information can be found HERE.
I took all of the photographs on that visit.)
The spirit in this place was strange. There was a peace of sort but a troubled air. Don't think I am crazy but I felt a sense of unfulfilled promise. I looked across this vast field of monuments and wondered what amazing things the young souls could have accomplished? Was there a cure for cancer or miracle drug among these plots? It is a sad place but you come away with renewed resolve and dedication to our Freedom. It must be guarded and defended. These souls deserve no less.
This weekend as we cookout, swim, visit with friends and family or just veg out remember that Freedom is Not Free! It was paid for and we will continue to pay the price. As you look into the faces of your children, ponder.
Will we be willing to Give All. THEY DID!
As we give thanks for these and all the brave heros who protect us please join the following sites for inspiration.
Seasonal Sunday/ The Tablescaper
Blue Monday/Smiling Sally's
Masterpiece Monday/Boogie Board Cottage
Metamorphosis/BNOTP
Please leave me comment to let me know you visited.
Ginger :)
To a size of 172.5 acres, the Normandy American Cemetery has 9,387 burials of US service men and women. Of this number, some 307 are unknowns, three are Medal of Honour winners and four are women. In addition there are 33 pairs of brothers buried side by side. It is estimated that 5,000 died on D-Day at Omaha Beach. (This paragraph of text and additional information can be found HERE.
I took all of the photographs on that visit.)
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| The English Channel in the background |
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| All Faiths |
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| These young men were from all over the USA and Territories |
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| "The Sprit of American Youth Rising from the Waves" |
Will we be willing to Give All. THEY DID!
GOD BLESS THE USA
Seasonal Sunday/ The Tablescaper
Blue Monday/Smiling Sally's
Masterpiece Monday/Boogie Board Cottage
Metamorphosis/BNOTP
Please leave me comment to let me know you visited.
Ginger :)
32 comments:
Last year I visited the Arboretum in Staffordshire., England where there is a hugh memorial to all who have served and died in Wars. Like you I appreciated the awesome sight and remembered all who had died to give us freedom. As I sat drinking coffee and looking out at the landscape of memories I truley wondered what they would think of the world to-day. There is so much love and kindness,but there is also a background of uncertainty with the threat of terrorism. I admire those who go off to war and pray for their safe return.
Thinking of everyone at this time.
A very nice post Ginger! Have a great Memorial Day:@)
Dearest Ginger,
THANKS for putting such a meaningful post up! We used kind of the same wording... my husband wrote my post of today. I had to re-add it as things were not working well. Did put the comments already given on again, with their URLs but without picture. That's NOT important. Let's pray that the younger generation will wake up one day and realize what true FREEDOM means, before it is all too late. Many of them don't seem to care, religion is out of the window and with that lots of moral values.
Indeed, what would all those souls in the many war cemeteries THINK about today's conduct by their own age group...???
Have a blessed weekend and lots of love,
Mariette
"33 pairs of brothers". Oh their poor, heartbroken mothers. How very sad.
Suzy xxx
Inspiring! Thank you! hugs, Linda
Awesome post!!
Beautiful post. Normandy is such a place of beauty. So many young lives lost ... as in all wars. Happy Memorial Day....
This is such a beautiful and thoughtful post Ginger. Very touching indeed. Have a wonderful Memorial day.XO
I can't think of a more moving place that I've ever been. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. We were there in 1999 and hope to return this year. ~ Sarah
Very touching and so true!!
I Agree Savannah Granny
I think it is so sad to think about all the young people ages 18 up who have died for their country, (that is us )
Loved your post! Cemeteries such as these are peppered all over France. I remember vividly there was one on my way to grade school. I gentle reminder of why we pledged allegiance and all the events in history came to life through all the white grave markers.. happy memorial day, xo marlis
There was a beautiful small cemetery in Astoria-Queens, very close by my house and my girl friend Ann Graci and me, we used to sometimes go there, set somewhere and just talk. This is sad, to think of all the herous that died for their country! Thank you for sharing Ginger. Thanks for visiting and for the sweet and lovely comments.
Love
FABBY
My heart goes to the brave who lost in the battle. This is a graceful land for memorial and thoughts. Thanks for your comments and following me. I browsed your posts, all are so lovely, colorful flowers and brilliant children. Tried to follow you but seems can't do at the moment. Will try soon again.
Hi Ginger, I can manage following you now. Just added. You said you're also my new follower by I can't see you on my list. May be some problem with it. Hope you'll come again.
So very true Ginger. A sad and somewhat happy day for all of us.
Hugs,
Dee
God Bless America
Ginger, Thank you for such a beautiful post. My stepfather was at Omaha Beach on D-day. He was one of the lucky ones but I think it haunted him his whole life. We visted the American Cemetery a few years ago and it is a very beautiful and peaceful place.
xo,
Sherry
What a lovely tribute to our men and women in the service..and to those that have served in the past.
Thank you so much for remembering.
Love,
Mona
I am your newest follower! I look forward to getting to know you as we blog together. Thanks for the lovely reminder today.
Hi again! I'm sorry Ginger hon, I haven't answer about e-Bay you selling our stuff. Unfortunatelly no, we sold everything in stock, but everything!!.. right here, in the same Factory as a close out sale, and yeah, quite cheap! Sorry I wasn't blogging because I would've let all of you know before anybody! Thank you for your inquire, so nice of you!
Love
FABBY
Beautifully said!
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon
Beautiful photos,, Ginger! What a nice tribute to our brave soldiers. Hope you had a great Memorial Day!..Christine
Hi Ginger,
This is a wonderful post, and I so agree with everything you said. The pictures are beautiful, moving, and yes, sad. Our son was home from college on Sunday, and I showed this to him. I could tell it made an impression, because later, he was asking which of his grandfathers had served in WWII. He's a good and thoughtful young man anyway (totally objective Mom here :-), but I was glad to see that your post made such an impression. Thanks for sharing!
Denise at Forest Manor
Such a beautiful post and tribute. You really make us think.
Looking forward to having you be a part of "Where do you keep it all? - Part 2".
- The Tablescaper
Morning, Phil and I are going to the Normandy beaches in a couple of weeks time. Also on the way to where we are staying at St Mere Eglise, we are going to stop at Pegasus Bridge. Like Annh in the comments we have visited the National Arboretum in Staffordshire and are going there again in July. On Saturday Phil and I were in London and went to the Cenotaph.
We must never forget the sacrifice our soldiers made in the two World Wars and now in Afghanistan.
We have a cemetery near us, Brookwood, where part of it is for the Americans from the First World War. .
http://www.brookwoodcemetery.com/american-military-cemetery.htm
Jackie in Surrey, UK.
I think...this post is going down as one of my all time favorites. I wish I could hug you, sweet friend, and lay my head on your shoulder. You have just won my heart!
Mona
Hi lovely lady.
Thanks for your lovely post about God Bless The USA Sweet Lady.
XXOO
Diane
Hey Savannah Gran, blogger has not been my friend lately, but I think it's getting better, I love this post the most,wish I would have been there with you and sweet ole Bob, I would have cried right along with ya! I get so "full-up" the tears have to roll!..Back in 2001,the day before 11/11/01,me and Mr was standing @ Arlington and I was so moved by the "changing of the guard",I got so choked up I couldn't hardly see for the tears.
I love our wonderful brave hero's and respect them "over-the-top".
My daddy was stationed in Japan,he is my war hero,I miss him!He passed in 2001.
On a lighter note,have a fun filled weekend.
~Jo
Lazyonloblolly
This post brought out the goose bumps. I'm so sure that you are not crazy and while I've never been there, I can only imagine the heavy emotions that it would cause. They didn't call that group "The Greatest Generation" for nothing. Wow, I am requiring my 13 year old son to read your post. Powerful!
Hi MOM!
What a beautiful tribute to all those served. Thanks for sharing such a peaceful and memorable post. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Memorial Weekend.
hugs ~lynne~
Dearest Ginger,
Hope you stay well during these hot days... Lots of love from 'down the road' and thanks for your visit. Loved your daughter's encounter with the lilacs. Oh, that Mackinac island would be a dream. I read about it in a magazine years ago and saved it for quite a while.
Have a great week!
Mariette
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