I will never forget watching this American speak to the lost soldiers on the beaches of Normandy. Today we honor those who lost their lives, au champs d'honneur.
Memorial Day
: jour des soldats morts au champ d'honneur
(day of commemoration of soldiers who were killed in action)
Audio File: Listen to Jean-Marc read the French definitions, recording today's sound file from his field of vines where he's paused to remember soldiers: Download MP3 or Wav file
Le Memorial Day est un jour de congé officiel aux États-Unis, célébré chaque année lors du dernier lundi du mois de mai. Historiquement, il était nommé Decoration Day, en l'honneur des femmes et hommes qui perdirent leur vie durant la guerre de Sécession. (Wikipedia)
Memorial Day is an official holiday in the United States, observed each year on the last Monday of May. Historically, it was called Decoration Day, in honor of women and men who lost their lives during the American Civil war.
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE… by Kristin Espinasse
On La Fête des Mères, yesterday, we were gathered round the picnic table, eating barbequed moules, salmon, and aubergines, when the irony of it all hit me. Mothers Day in France is the day before Memorial Day in the States.
I looked over at my 19-year-old son, amazed. Thank God we've never known the draft.
Mothers Day was never more meaningful–celebrated the day before remembrance day. So much to be grateful for: my son, freedom, and most of all those who fought for it.
On this day we often hear the free citoyens promise: "We will never forget." Let's remember, now, by honoring those who lost their lives, les soldats morts au 'champ d'honneur.'
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Do you ever take your freedom for granted? (Photo taken from inside a bunker on Omaha Beach.)
Thankful for his freedom. Our then 16-year-old son, Max, during his French recensement militaire, or military duty.
Sacrifice. Courage. A soldier remembers:
"I started out to cross the beach with 35 men and only six got to the top, that's all." –2nd LT Bob Edlin
J'ai commencé la traversée de la plage avec trente-six hommes, six seulement sont arrivés en haut des falaises.
The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is one of many American cemeteries in France. To comment, click here.
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It is fitting that you should make the connection between Mothers Day and Memorial Day, as the original call for Mothers Day was made by mothers who has lost their sons in the American Civil War. See here: http://www.peace.ca/mothersdayproclamation.htm
It is fitting that you should make the connection between Mothers Day and Memorial Day, as the original call for Mothers Day was made by mothers who has lost their sons in the American Civil War. See here: http://www.peace.ca/mothersdayproclamation.htm
Kristin:
My wife’s half brother (her father’s first wife died) was 17 years old when he was seriously wounded while landing at Normandy just after D day. He died in England and is buried at Cambridge. This is the 70th anniversary of his death and we plan to lay a wreath (the first from our family) on his grave in June. Your post brought back the memory of Joseph Laskody a young American who gave his life for France and for civilization. Living in France now we think of him often. We are all the beneficiaries of these sacrifices.
Randy and Debbie Komisarek
Bateau “Alouette”
Kristin:
My wife’s half brother (her father’s first wife died) was 17 years old when he was seriously wounded while landing at Normandy just after D day. He died in England and is buried at Cambridge. This is the 70th anniversary of his death and we plan to lay a wreath (the first from our family) on his grave in June. Your post brought back the memory of Joseph Laskody a young American who gave his life for France and for civilization. Living in France now we think of him often. We are all the beneficiaries of these sacrifices.
Randy and Debbie Komisarek
Bateau “Alouette”
Soldiering has called my family and my husband’s family for many generations. A love of country and a way of life. And today, such great sacrifice from young soldiers and families. Kristin caught an unbelievable and poignant moment with the thank you on the Normandy beach that chilly, rainy day. How it brings tears.
Soldiering has called my family and my husband’s family for many generations. A love of country and a way of life. And today, such great sacrifice from young soldiers and families. Kristin caught an unbelievable and poignant moment with the thank you on the Normandy beach that chilly, rainy day. How it brings tears.
Thank you Kristin for the lovely post & photos.
God bless all the fallen patriots, and current patriots for their sacrifices and for keeping our country safe.
Thank you Kristin for the lovely post & photos.
God bless all the fallen patriots, and current patriots for their sacrifices and for keeping our country safe.
My father was in the South Pacific during WW II when I was born. I will call him today and thank him. I have never once taken for granted the freedom we have. It especially hit me on my first trip to Europe in 1968 when I walked a good portion of the Berlin wall and then the next day we went into East Berlin through CheckPoint Charlie. On one side of that gate the sun was shining and the birds were singing…..on the other it was overcast, grey and oppressively silent.
Even today as I watch so many places in the world at unrest or without the freedom that all should have, I am even more thankful. You never want to think of “what could have been”.
My father was in the South Pacific during WW II when I was born. I will call him today and thank him. I have never once taken for granted the freedom we have. It especially hit me on my first trip to Europe in 1968 when I walked a good portion of the Berlin wall and then the next day we went into East Berlin through CheckPoint Charlie. On one side of that gate the sun was shining and the birds were singing…..on the other it was overcast, grey and oppressively silent.
Even today as I watch so many places in the world at unrest or without the freedom that all should have, I am even more thankful. You never want to think of “what could have been”.
I agree with Mary Underwood, who believes that if all of our young men and women were subject to conscription, our Congress might not be in such a hurry to send them into battle. For millennia, old men have sent the young ones out to be killed and to kill. But if the sons & daughters of those old men are among the youngsters? In Vietnam, the soldiers *who did not want to be there* brought the war to an earlier close than might have otherwise been the case. Isn’t an all-volunteer military force in a democracy very dangerous? And I still honor the millions of young American lives (since 1860) and those of our “enemies” that have been cut down.
I agree with Mary Underwood, who believes that if all of our young men and women were subject to conscription, our Congress might not be in such a hurry to send them into battle. For millennia, old men have sent the young ones out to be killed and to kill. But if the sons & daughters of those old men are among the youngsters? In Vietnam, the soldiers *who did not want to be there* brought the war to an earlier close than might have otherwise been the case. Isn’t an all-volunteer military force in a democracy very dangerous? And I still honor the millions of young American lives (since 1860) and those of our “enemies” that have been cut down.
I get tears in my eyes whenever I think of all the men and women we have lost in the wars over the years. My Dad made it home from WWII but many of his friends didn’t.
I thank all of those who gave their lives and all who are still serving. Keep them safe.
I get tears in my eyes whenever I think of all the men and women we have lost in the wars over the years. My Dad made it home from WWII but many of his friends didn’t.
I thank all of those who gave their lives and all who are still serving. Keep them safe.
Kristan-
Thank you for writing your own story about Memorial Day, WWII, visiting cemeteries, and honoring the dead (and I thank you for letting me write my story last year, remember? -about my Uncle Alan who is in the Lorraine American Cemetery.)
Anyway, wanted to say that my grandmother’s birthday was Nov 11, Armistice Day, and her son, my uncle Alan, had been KIA on Nov 10, 1944. Somewhat the same as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day. It is a curious, but poignant, juxtaposition.
Kristan-
Thank you for writing your own story about Memorial Day, WWII, visiting cemeteries, and honoring the dead (and I thank you for letting me write my story last year, remember? -about my Uncle Alan who is in the Lorraine American Cemetery.)
Anyway, wanted to say that my grandmother’s birthday was Nov 11, Armistice Day, and her son, my uncle Alan, had been KIA on Nov 10, 1944. Somewhat the same as Mother’s Day, Memorial Day. It is a curious, but poignant, juxtaposition.
This breaks our hearts each time we remember, but we don’t want to ever forget. Thank you, Kristen, for a simple and eloquent post.
This breaks our hearts each time we remember, but we don’t want to ever forget. Thank you, Kristen, for a simple and eloquent post.
Thank you for your article. If only every American could have the opportunity to visit all of the Normandy beaches and war memorials. My husband and I were in the American Cemetery in October and he had the privilege of helping lower and fold the American flag late one afternoon. Such an honor and so moving as Taps was played. We spent 6 full days reliving WWII! Also, the Memorial in Caen in just incredible. We spent over 5 hours there – that much time should be allowed for a visit. We could’ve easily spent another hour or more. I’m so glad we were able to do all of that and more in Normandy. What a beautiful part of France – truly hallowed ground.
Thank you for your article. If only every American could have the opportunity to visit all of the Normandy beaches and war memorials. My husband and I were in the American Cemetery in October and he had the privilege of helping lower and fold the American flag late one afternoon. Such an honor and so moving as Taps was played. We spent 6 full days reliving WWII! Also, the Memorial in Caen in just incredible. We spent over 5 hours there – that much time should be allowed for a visit. We could’ve easily spent another hour or more. I’m so glad we were able to do all of that and more in Normandy. What a beautiful part of France – truly hallowed ground.
The Memorial Day Concert on TV last night showed a heartbreaking story of a soldier who took his own life because he couldn’t prevent his best friend’s loss of his leg and years of therapy. The guilt overtook him. Please pray for the many veterans who have devastating illnesses because of their combat experiences. God bless America and all who served.
The Memorial Day Concert on TV last night showed a heartbreaking story of a soldier who took his own life because he couldn’t prevent his best friend’s loss of his leg and years of therapy. The guilt overtook him. Please pray for the many veterans who have devastating illnesses because of their combat experiences. God bless America and all who served.
I visited Normandy on a cold, rainy February day. I was one of only a few people there that day. It was my first and only time that I have made a visit to this sacred spot. I still remember walking into the cemetery and being so moved by the sight in front of me.
As I walked around and contemplated the events that happened there I could here in the distance the American National Anthem play. I looked around to see what was happening and saw the American Flag being lowered for the ending of the day. It was in the distance and I stood there with my hand over my heart as tears swelled in my eyes and I watched my country’s flag being lowered. I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude but also guilt as I have never had to fight in any war but yet am the recipient of so much that others have given and sacrificed. May we live each day, not just holidays, with this in mind and show it in our everyday actions towards each other.
Thank you for bringing this memory and feelings back to me.
I visited Normandy on a cold, rainy February day. I was one of only a few people there that day. It was my first and only time that I have made a visit to this sacred spot. I still remember walking into the cemetery and being so moved by the sight in front of me.
As I walked around and contemplated the events that happened there I could here in the distance the American National Anthem play. I looked around to see what was happening and saw the American Flag being lowered for the ending of the day. It was in the distance and I stood there with my hand over my heart as tears swelled in my eyes and I watched my country’s flag being lowered. I was filled with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude but also guilt as I have never had to fight in any war but yet am the recipient of so much that others have given and sacrificed. May we live each day, not just holidays, with this in mind and show it in our everyday actions towards each other.
Thank you for bringing this memory and feelings back to me.
Thanks Kristin for the lovely remembrance and photos!
Thanks Kristin for the lovely remembrance and photos!
Our dear Kristi,
What an incredibly touching post today.
The first picture of Thank You brought tears to my eyes.
My father,Thomas B. Grandin,made the first eye witness radio broadcast of the Normandy Invasion;the jeep he was driving was later blown up by a bomb and he hardly survived.
I regret that during his lifetime I was never really and truly aware of the heroism and sacrifice which he,and all of his fellow soldiers, made on our behalf so that we may live with the privileges of freedom that we do today.
THANK YOU for such a meaningful reminder.
Love
Natalia XO
Our dear Kristi,
What an incredibly touching post today.
The first picture of Thank You brought tears to my eyes.
My father,Thomas B. Grandin,made the first eye witness radio broadcast of the Normandy Invasion;the jeep he was driving was later blown up by a bomb and he hardly survived.
I regret that during his lifetime I was never really and truly aware of the heroism and sacrifice which he,and all of his fellow soldiers, made on our behalf so that we may live with the privileges of freedom that we do today.
THANK YOU for such a meaningful reminder.
Love
Natalia XO
I read Bob Edlin’s quote and could not stop my tears.
So many brave men lost in an instant of time.
I read Bob Edlin’s quote and could not stop my tears.
So many brave men lost in an instant of time.
My dad,Leo Fish was in the Navy in WWI and my husband was in the Air Force in Europe during WWll. Many memories of the stories they both told of their experiences. We thought we would never need to go to war again. Unfortunately a new generation came and the old men took us into more and more wars. It is so sad. Thank you Kristin for today’s post. I,too, have been to the beaches and the memorials and cried for the lives lost. It is a puzzle why mankind can’t fine a way to live without conflict. I have many ideas but no one will listen.
My dad,Leo Fish was in the Navy in WWI and my husband was in the Air Force in Europe during WWll. Many memories of the stories they both told of their experiences. We thought we would never need to go to war again. Unfortunately a new generation came and the old men took us into more and more wars. It is so sad. Thank you Kristin for today’s post. I,too, have been to the beaches and the memorials and cried for the lives lost. It is a puzzle why mankind can’t fine a way to live without conflict. I have many ideas but no one will listen.
My husband and I walked on the beach at Normandy and also visited the World War II museum there. Afterwards,while walking in town, we came upon three British WW II veterans in full uniforms covered with medals. They cheerily posed as I took their photo. While conversing, they were surprised to learn that we were Americans. I guess that our Chinese faces fooled them. Visiting the area was really moving and memorable.
My husband and I walked on the beach at Normandy and also visited the World War II museum there. Afterwards,while walking in town, we came upon three British WW II veterans in full uniforms covered with medals. They cheerily posed as I took their photo. While conversing, they were surprised to learn that we were Americans. I guess that our Chinese faces fooled them. Visiting the area was really moving and memorable.
What a beautiful tribute. I plan to visit Normandy one day. My my half-brother’s father was shot down over French soil.
What a beautiful tribute. I plan to visit Normandy one day. My my half-brother’s father was shot down over French soil.
Thank you for sharing these photos which I just posted to our airport FB page. They are beautiful in every sense and speak volumes.
Thank you for sharing these photos which I just posted to our airport FB page. They are beautiful in every sense and speak volumes.
Thank you , Kristin for this lovely remembrance.
Thank you , Kristin for this lovely remembrance.
I do so appreciate the American Soliders that died that other countries could be free and left a legacy and example for all mankind to see.
I do so appreciate the American Soliders that died that other countries could be free and left a legacy and example for all mankind to see.
I heard on pbs that a total of 70 million people died in ww2. Many brave many not but all gave their lives. WW2 probably changed our lives even today more than any other evenr in the 20th century. the largest invasion in history, d day left only 2 kind of people on the beaches, including Normandy…those already dead and those who would die if they did get off the beach…
When I was 21 a pre-induction physical related to being drafted. If I has passed it, I would have received a draft notice. As an immigrant but not a citizen, I would have the choice to leave within 40 days, losing my immigration status forever. Ironically, if I had passed the physical, perhaps today I would be living in France
By the way, when I was in school in England in the fifties, Both England, I know, and France had a draft. I am curious when did it stop? What were the politics involved?
I heard on pbs that a total of 70 million people died in ww2. Many brave many not but all gave their lives. WW2 probably changed our lives even today more than any other evenr in the 20th century. the largest invasion in history, d day left only 2 kind of people on the beaches, including Normandy…those already dead and those who would die if they did get off the beach…
When I was 21 a pre-induction physical related to being drafted. If I has passed it, I would have received a draft notice. As an immigrant but not a citizen, I would have the choice to leave within 40 days, losing my immigration status forever. Ironically, if I had passed the physical, perhaps today I would be living in France
By the way, when I was in school in England in the fifties, Both England, I know, and France had a draft. I am curious when did it stop? What were the politics involved?