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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My Dad was not in Normandy but in the South Pacific. Bougainville, Guadalcanal. He just died at the end of March at the age of 95, retired Colonel in the US Army Corps of Engineers.
My Dad was not in Normandy but in the South Pacific. Bougainville, Guadalcanal. He just died at the end of March at the age of 95, retired Colonel in the US Army Corps of Engineers.
We have been, more than once, to the American Cemetery, Point du Hoc, Omaha Beach,and even a nearby German cemetery. I can think of few things anywhere more touching than that cemetery and the beaches. What bravery! Those boys gave everything. We owe them more than a day off work with cook-outs, picnics, and parties. All those who gave their all deserve our profound gratitude, laced with wonder at their courage.
We have been, more than once, to the American Cemetery, Point du Hoc, Omaha Beach,and even a nearby German cemetery. I can think of few things anywhere more touching than that cemetery and the beaches. What bravery! Those boys gave everything. We owe them more than a day off work with cook-outs, picnics, and parties. All those who gave their all deserve our profound gratitude, laced with wonder at their courage.
Kristin,
Thank you for your thoughts. You are right about the draft, and how fortunate Max is to have never known it. My era is Vietnam, but I have visited Ohmaha Beach and the American cemetery there. Do you remember in Star Wars, as our heroes arrive at the planet Alderan, just after Darth Vader destroys it, and Obi-Wan says that he just felt a giant disturbance in the Force? That’s what I felt when I visited the cemetery. It was quite moving.
The museum in Caen is also worth visiting, and Veterans of any era can get a discount on the admission fee.
But yes, absolutely, let us never forget those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Kristin,
Thank you for your thoughts. You are right about the draft, and how fortunate Max is to have never known it. My era is Vietnam, but I have visited Ohmaha Beach and the American cemetery there. Do you remember in Star Wars, as our heroes arrive at the planet Alderan, just after Darth Vader destroys it, and Obi-Wan says that he just felt a giant disturbance in the Force? That’s what I felt when I visited the cemetery. It was quite moving.
The museum in Caen is also worth visiting, and Veterans of any era can get a discount on the admission fee.
But yes, absolutely, let us never forget those who gave their lives for our freedom.
Dearest Kristin,
I treasure the memories of walking the beaches and cliffs and cemetery of Normandy on Memorial Day last year. It was a very long, sometimes overwhelming day, interspersed with moments of sheer beauty and piercing sadness. Occasionally my path would intersect with yours and Jean-Marc’s, bringing me back to the present and reminding me that It helped to have friends nearby.
Before our visit there, I never had any idea of what the soldiers went through or what costly miracles they accomplished. Wandering through the museum, one alternates between dropping one’s head in humility and lifting one’s eyes to the sea where an entire fortified harbor appeared almost overnight.
Much love to you and Jean-Marc and thank you for reminding me of that extraordinary day last year.
Dearest Kristin,
I treasure the memories of walking the beaches and cliffs and cemetery of Normandy on Memorial Day last year. It was a very long, sometimes overwhelming day, interspersed with moments of sheer beauty and piercing sadness. Occasionally my path would intersect with yours and Jean-Marc’s, bringing me back to the present and reminding me that It helped to have friends nearby.
Before our visit there, I never had any idea of what the soldiers went through or what costly miracles they accomplished. Wandering through the museum, one alternates between dropping one’s head in humility and lifting one’s eyes to the sea where an entire fortified harbor appeared almost overnight.
Much love to you and Jean-Marc and thank you for reminding me of that extraordinary day last year.
My husband and I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy on Memorial Day 2010. We were amazed by the flowers sent from towns all over France and by the small American and French flags placed at each grave by school children. It was quite moving and a reminder of the bond between the United States and France.
My husband and I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy on Memorial Day 2010. We were amazed by the flowers sent from towns all over France and by the small American and French flags placed at each grave by school children. It was quite moving and a reminder of the bond between the United States and France.
I found nothing more moving on my trip to France than being on the beaches in Normandy where my Dad landed a couple of days after D-Day. He retold many times the story of how he stepped off the landing craft and being five feet tall and weighing only 115 pounds was weighed down underwater by his heavy backpack (the landing craft had stopped too far offshore)He was saved by a much taller fellow soldier who grabbed him by his backpack to pull him ashore. The sight of those perfectly-aligned white crosses and the quiet broken only by the pealing of bells playing patriotic songs was very emotional and it all came back to me in the opening scene of “Saving Private Ryan” which is set there. I was unexpectedly overwhelmed in the very first moments of that movie!It helped me understand the survivor guilt that me Dad sometimes expressed.
I found nothing more moving on my trip to France than being on the beaches in Normandy where my Dad landed a couple of days after D-Day. He retold many times the story of how he stepped off the landing craft and being five feet tall and weighing only 115 pounds was weighed down underwater by his heavy backpack (the landing craft had stopped too far offshore)He was saved by a much taller fellow soldier who grabbed him by his backpack to pull him ashore. The sight of those perfectly-aligned white crosses and the quiet broken only by the pealing of bells playing patriotic songs was very emotional and it all came back to me in the opening scene of “Saving Private Ryan” which is set there. I was unexpectedly overwhelmed in the very first moments of that movie!It helped me understand the survivor guilt that me Dad sometimes expressed.
I have seen that view from the bunker of Omaha beach and walked through the American cemetery more than once … and am so very grateful.I also have sons who never knew the Draft.
But Verdun,that really made my heart cry.WWII really was a continuation of The great War.Standing on the Fields at Verdun made me understand why Soldiers walked away.
A lighter note: When my husband and I were living in Paris in 1996-97,there was a large transportation strike which seem to last forever.We had rented a car to go somewhere outside the city.I saw a much older woman standing and waiting for a bus(it ran very infrequently).I said to my husband,”let’s stop and pick her up”.We did,and dropped her at her destination.As she was getting from the car,she thanked us,and commented that it was the second time she was saved by Americans!
I have seen that view from the bunker of Omaha beach and walked through the American cemetery more than once … and am so very grateful.I also have sons who never knew the Draft.
But Verdun,that really made my heart cry.WWII really was a continuation of The great War.Standing on the Fields at Verdun made me understand why Soldiers walked away.
A lighter note: When my husband and I were living in Paris in 1996-97,there was a large transportation strike which seem to last forever.We had rented a car to go somewhere outside the city.I saw a much older woman standing and waiting for a bus(it ran very infrequently).I said to my husband,”let’s stop and pick her up”.We did,and dropped her at her destination.As she was getting from the car,she thanked us,and commented that it was the second time she was saved by Americans!
Now our wars are fought mostly by the poor or those who can afford an education through no other means. After 9/11 many volunteered. We didn’t have enough troops to support what we were doing and so these individuals (whether or not one agrees with the need of war) were sent two, three, four times to the front at great cost to them, their families, and ultimately to our society. Do you know what it is like to watch a small child say ‘goodbye’ to his father not once, but four times? Honor to fallen comrades would drive many of these soldiers back to service. Our legislators easily keep us in wars, not knowing what it is like to lose a son or daughter to death or to life-long injury and I believe that the cost of war is often lost on those who experience no personal loss. I protested the war in Vietnam. I was against our horrible decision to invade Iraq. I have great respect for our armed forces, not so much for those who fail at diplomatic solutions or who quickly advocate war for political or profit motives (and they do). I favor the draft now because if all are called on to serve, all of us have more ‘skin in the game’ and might pay more attention to what our lawmakers are doing and perhaps push them to take a step back instead of rushing in with troops. War may be necessary at times but not as a first response. My father flew a bomber (a Liberator) in WWII and I am proud of his service and for our involvement in that war. Thank you for your thoughtful blog today (and every day). My flag is flying, remembering those who have fallen.
Now our wars are fought mostly by the poor or those who can afford an education through no other means. After 9/11 many volunteered. We didn’t have enough troops to support what we were doing and so these individuals (whether or not one agrees with the need of war) were sent two, three, four times to the front at great cost to them, their families, and ultimately to our society. Do you know what it is like to watch a small child say ‘goodbye’ to his father not once, but four times? Honor to fallen comrades would drive many of these soldiers back to service. Our legislators easily keep us in wars, not knowing what it is like to lose a son or daughter to death or to life-long injury and I believe that the cost of war is often lost on those who experience no personal loss. I protested the war in Vietnam. I was against our horrible decision to invade Iraq. I have great respect for our armed forces, not so much for those who fail at diplomatic solutions or who quickly advocate war for political or profit motives (and they do). I favor the draft now because if all are called on to serve, all of us have more ‘skin in the game’ and might pay more attention to what our lawmakers are doing and perhaps push them to take a step back instead of rushing in with troops. War may be necessary at times but not as a first response. My father flew a bomber (a Liberator) in WWII and I am proud of his service and for our involvement in that war. Thank you for your thoughtful blog today (and every day). My flag is flying, remembering those who have fallen.
I never met my grandfather, Bernard Glenn Ross because he was killed on the way to Metz in October, 1944. He died when a bomb hit the building in which he was sleeping located in Sivry, near Pont a Mousson. I think of him every year over the Memorial Day weekend because his loss, when my father was 8, had such an effect on our family in the years to come. I wish you a lovely Mother’s Day, Kristin and I offer my thoughts and prayers for the brave men that came before us.
I never met my grandfather, Bernard Glenn Ross because he was killed on the way to Metz in October, 1944. He died when a bomb hit the building in which he was sleeping located in Sivry, near Pont a Mousson. I think of him every year over the Memorial Day weekend because his loss, when my father was 8, had such an effect on our family in the years to come. I wish you a lovely Mother’s Day, Kristin and I offer my thoughts and prayers for the brave men that came before us.
My uncle Tom was in the Normandy landings with the British forces, he was in the tank regiment. He was fired upon by some Germans and was the only man to get out of the tank alive. As he ran for a ditch he was fired upon and was very badly injured in his buttock and leg. As he lay in the ditch two Germans came, one was about to shoot him when the other pushed the rifle away. They threw him into the back of a hay cart whilst they went to an Inn, leaving him there to die. Oh but he didn’t, he was rescued by the French Resistance. Two very very brave women hid him between themselves in a bed as the Germans searched the village for him. My nana in the meantime had lost one son in the Atlantic and had been told her other son Tom was missing in action. Unbeknown to her the French Resistance managed to get him back to England and safety. She and my mother, Tom’s sister had a joyous reunion with him in a military hospital in Birmingham.
My uncle Tom was in the Normandy landings with the British forces, he was in the tank regiment. He was fired upon by some Germans and was the only man to get out of the tank alive. As he ran for a ditch he was fired upon and was very badly injured in his buttock and leg. As he lay in the ditch two Germans came, one was about to shoot him when the other pushed the rifle away. They threw him into the back of a hay cart whilst they went to an Inn, leaving him there to die. Oh but he didn’t, he was rescued by the French Resistance. Two very very brave women hid him between themselves in a bed as the Germans searched the village for him. My nana in the meantime had lost one son in the Atlantic and had been told her other son Tom was missing in action. Unbeknown to her the French Resistance managed to get him back to England and safety. She and my mother, Tom’s sister had a joyous reunion with him in a military hospital in Birmingham.
Thank you, Kristin. You wrote a very nice piece.
Thank you, Kristin. You wrote a very nice piece.
Seeing the graves of those who gave all is incredibly moving. God bless the soldiers.
Seeing the graves of those who gave all is incredibly moving. God bless the soldiers.
I’ll be in Normandy next week, on those beaches and in those cemeteries. My first visit during D-Day week. It’s an overwhelming experience any time, but I’m hoping to be able to speak with some people who lived through that day.
I’ll be in Normandy next week, on those beaches and in those cemeteries. My first visit during D-Day week. It’s an overwhelming experience any time, but I’m hoping to be able to speak with some people who lived through that day.
Darling Kristi,
You are always here with just the right words to keep our minds and spirits on the right path as we forge ahead into the unknown future.
I am always so proud of you Honey – for all the heartfelt work you put into the stories you share with us.
Your photography in this vignette is straight from your heart. May God bless all your work to keep us on track of what is really important in life….gratitude to all who have made our lives safe since this tragic and horrific war.
LOVE,
MOM
Darling Kristi,
You are always here with just the right words to keep our minds and spirits on the right path as we forge ahead into the unknown future.
I am always so proud of you Honey – for all the heartfelt work you put into the stories you share with us.
Your photography in this vignette is straight from your heart. May God bless all your work to keep us on track of what is really important in life….gratitude to all who have made our lives safe since this tragic and horrific war.
LOVE,
MOM
Never forgotten.
Never forgotten.
What a beautiful Memorial Day email to get today. I used to march with my parents (my father a veteran of WWI, and my mother and I as Girl Scout leaders) years ago. My father-in-law was also in WWI; it wasn’t until this year, when I read Anne Perry’s books about WWI that I learned of the horrors of that war.
What a beautiful Memorial Day email to get today. I used to march with my parents (my father a veteran of WWI, and my mother and I as Girl Scout leaders) years ago. My father-in-law was also in WWI; it wasn’t until this year, when I read Anne Perry’s books about WWI that I learned of the horrors of that war.
My ancestor, John Carothers, commanded the Armory in Carlisle, PA during the Revolutionary War. Growing up I remember learning about “Uncle Johnny”, my great-grandmother’s older brother who died, not of injuries but of disease, as did a great number, during the Civil War. My husband served in the Navy in Special Forces during the Viet Nam conflict. My son served as a US Marine early in the Noriega days in Panama and was recalled after his discharge to serve in the first Gulf War. I salute those who died for my freedom and those who were willing to do so.
My ancestor, John Carothers, commanded the Armory in Carlisle, PA during the Revolutionary War. Growing up I remember learning about “Uncle Johnny”, my great-grandmother’s older brother who died, not of injuries but of disease, as did a great number, during the Civil War. My husband served in the Navy in Special Forces during the Viet Nam conflict. My son served as a US Marine early in the Noriega days in Panama and was recalled after his discharge to serve in the first Gulf War. I salute those who died for my freedom and those who were willing to do so.
All I feel on this day is incredible sadness and gratitude. And shame that the VA is letting our men and women down. Thank you for your thoughts and pictures. From our Civil War through today the people of this country have preserved their freedom. Freedom changes the world and all who live in it. We will NEVER forget.
All I feel on this day is incredible sadness and gratitude. And shame that the VA is letting our men and women down. Thank you for your thoughts and pictures. From our Civil War through today the people of this country have preserved their freedom. Freedom changes the world and all who live in it. We will NEVER forget.
Thought provoking & moving photos & words . I have visited Vimy Ridge & war cemetries, British, Canadian & German. Those lines of crosses & those young ages on them all point to the horror & needless slaughter which ensued. In any small village here in France there is always a War Memorial listing ,sometimes, all the male members of one family.
You can only salute all those who gave their lives. Will we ever learn ??
Thought provoking & moving photos & words . I have visited Vimy Ridge & war cemetries, British, Canadian & German. Those lines of crosses & those young ages on them all point to the horror & needless slaughter which ensued. In any small village here in France there is always a War Memorial listing ,sometimes, all the male members of one family.
You can only salute all those who gave their lives. Will we ever learn ??
My husband’s mom landed near Normandy on D Day. She sat up all night with a wounded soldier promising him she would write his mother. He died. She wrote. He would never be forgotten by the two mothers, the one who gave birth to him, and the one who held him when he died. May we always remember the price men and women pay for our freedom.
My husband’s mom landed near Normandy on D Day. She sat up all night with a wounded soldier promising him she would write his mother. He died. She wrote. He would never be forgotten by the two mothers, the one who gave birth to him, and the one who held him when he died. May we always remember the price men and women pay for our freedom.
Kristin: My only sibling, brother Conrad was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and 3 1/2 years a prisoner of the Japanese. He retired from the US Air Force; died in 1975. One nephew Conrad, Jr., a Naval Aviator, first carrier in the Gulf War. Nephew John, Navy, Nuculer (sp) welder. His four sons: Air Force, Marine, two currently in Navy. Remember them. Vivian
Kristin: My only sibling, brother Conrad was a survivor of the Bataan Death March and 3 1/2 years a prisoner of the Japanese. He retired from the US Air Force; died in 1975. One nephew Conrad, Jr., a Naval Aviator, first carrier in the Gulf War. Nephew John, Navy, Nuculer (sp) welder. His four sons: Air Force, Marine, two currently in Navy. Remember them. Vivian
Heart wrenching but très à propos certainement.
Heart wrenching but très à propos certainement.
War is not the answer, but it keeps happening. My husband and I visited Normandy and the cemeteries, which touch the soul and you know that there should not be more wars. The letters at the German cemetery stated the exact same sentiments, but no avail.
Thank you for taking a picture which includes the Star of David,because most pictures of the American cemetery never show the Jewish star and least we forget how many of our Jewish brothers/sisters fought during WW II.
And as Rick mentioned, everyone should visit the Peace Museum in Caen. It is so moving. We were there one year from the day of 9/11 and there was a piece if the World Trade Center there.
My father also was in WWII and was in Morocco and ended up in Paris. He only spoke about the liberation,but not about the horrors of the war.
Thank you Kristin for your remembering of our fallen and disabled. There are few Veterans still alive today. My father died in 1982.
War is not the answer, but it keeps happening. My husband and I visited Normandy and the cemeteries, which touch the soul and you know that there should not be more wars. The letters at the German cemetery stated the exact same sentiments, but no avail.
Thank you for taking a picture which includes the Star of David,because most pictures of the American cemetery never show the Jewish star and least we forget how many of our Jewish brothers/sisters fought during WW II.
And as Rick mentioned, everyone should visit the Peace Museum in Caen. It is so moving. We were there one year from the day of 9/11 and there was a piece if the World Trade Center there.
My father also was in WWII and was in Morocco and ended up in Paris. He only spoke about the liberation,but not about the horrors of the war.
Thank you Kristin for your remembering of our fallen and disabled. There are few Veterans still alive today. My father died in 1982.
what a lovely Remembrance..and to me perhaps even more meaningful. The “Peace” museum is one of the first places my French husband, a French naval officer, took me..then to the cemeteries..French and American and German..the first time I visited there was on the celebration of 50 years. The French had made gardens with flowers spelling out thank you. My father, an army doctor always wanted to come and visit the grave of his best friend who died that day..Daddy died this past Thanksgiving. My son is a Lt Col, 3 deployments..maybe we all need more peace memorials..museums. Anyone who has not been to these, and can, needs to put these on their must do list. One post said now it is mostly the poor who serve..not true, there are still fine young men and women with many choices, who choose to serve their country, as their Mothers and wives hope for other choices to be made. As we here in the US allow these men to die waiting for care my prayer is that this Memorial Day we as a country rise up and DEMAND that our soldiers be cared for ahead of everyone else!
what a lovely Remembrance..and to me perhaps even more meaningful. The “Peace” museum is one of the first places my French husband, a French naval officer, took me..then to the cemeteries..French and American and German..the first time I visited there was on the celebration of 50 years. The French had made gardens with flowers spelling out thank you. My father, an army doctor always wanted to come and visit the grave of his best friend who died that day..Daddy died this past Thanksgiving. My son is a Lt Col, 3 deployments..maybe we all need more peace memorials..museums. Anyone who has not been to these, and can, needs to put these on their must do list. One post said now it is mostly the poor who serve..not true, there are still fine young men and women with many choices, who choose to serve their country, as their Mothers and wives hope for other choices to be made. As we here in the US allow these men to die waiting for care my prayer is that this Memorial Day we as a country rise up and DEMAND that our soldiers be cared for ahead of everyone else!
My husband’s father fought in WWI in France when he was a boy of 14. When my husband and I were in France a few years ago, we made a point of going to the war memorials and the cemeteries in the North. Even the smallest town, it seemed, had a war memorial. Each one brought tears to my eyes, but the Canadian memorial dropped me to my knees.
My husband’s father fought in WWI in France when he was a boy of 14. When my husband and I were in France a few years ago, we made a point of going to the war memorials and the cemeteries in the North. Even the smallest town, it seemed, had a war memorial. Each one brought tears to my eyes, but the Canadian memorial dropped me to my knees.