Sunday, May 26, 2024

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

 

Remembering all those who didn't make it home. This is a photo I took on June 6th, 2014, in Normandy. 

"Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it."

~Author Unknown~


Read recently: "French caretakers take the sand from Omaha Beach in Normandy and scrub it into the letters on each headstone to give them the brown/gold coloring.  They do this for all 9,386 soldiers who died. France also gave us this land as American soil."


Wishing you all a Peaceful and Blessed Sunday with your families.






54 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Denise, so poignant.

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  2. This fact is amazing and we are both sitting here just stunned!

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    1. I was surprised also and have now found other countries are their caretakers also. It is very heartwarming :)

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  3. Lovely Denise to remember those that didn't come home, and so many didn't it seems.
    That quote is beautiful.

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    1. It is very hard to comprehend such vast losses. The quote touched me deeply when I came across it. Thank you Margaret :)

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  4. Stunning for real. God bless America from enemies foreign and domestic

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  5. Such a stunning photo. I'm fascinated by what you read about how they scrub the lettering with sand from Omaha Beach.

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    1. It is amazingly symbolic too Ann. I remember reading about a lady in France who took care of one American soldier's grave from when she was a child. I forget the whole story now, I think other children were given the task also for other graves, but she did this her whole life and only recently passed away. Stories like this are very moving to me.

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  6. That's right, we take great care of these cemeteries. Also in the Netherlands. Both children and adults, as well as businesses, can adopt and maintain such a grave(s). I love the photos, in you blog.

    xxx,
    Aritha from https://momentsfrozentime.blogspot.com/

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    1. Greetings Aritha :) it is a heartwarming gift of humanity that this is done. Thank you to all those who remember our Veterans buried overseas. Mere words are not enough to express how I feel about this.

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  7. War graves are the most poignant graves of all - so very many young men who were robbed of their futures.

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  8. Staring at the photo brought tears to my eyes and the story is one i have never heard and also brings caring tears to my eyes.

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    1. It is very moving Sandra, and it did the same to me when I actually stood there just staring after I took this photo. Thank you :)

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  9. Hello Debbie
    A wonderful post for Memorial Day, a day to remember the brave souls.
    Take care, enjoy your day and have a happy new week!

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    1. Yes, we must remember always. Thank you Eileen and I wish you the same :)

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  10. Yet still we continue to wage war and slaughter each other, every day, without a break. We are incapable of living in peace unfortunately.

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    1. I hope one day David, truly hope one day, there will be peace :) Polly-Anna that I am. I keep praying for it.

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  11. I visited this Normandy cemetery with a group of students many years ago. The experience was emotional.
    Today in the UK this is also a sacred day with dedicated television coverage. We stand with you on this special day of dedication.

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    1. And we stand with you also Linda, thank you for this very heartwarming comment :)

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  12. Wonderful tribute. Most are just out enjoying their long weekend.

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    1. Thank you Christine, it's a time of reflection for my family. We have many Veterans on each side, mine and husbands, and we always remember their sacrifice.

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  13. I've not been to one of these war cemeteries. One school here makes the trip to Europe each year.

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    1. I went with several members of our family back in 2014 because of my father-in-law wanting to visit around the D-Day celebrations. It was an amazing experience, definitely a once-in-a-lifetime trip :)

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  14. Denise that was a beautiful quote about the flags waving.
    Several years ago there was a Dog Blogger from Brittany, France. Each Memorial Day she and her husband went to Normandy...in rememberance.

    My best wishes for a Memorial Day weekend. It is HOT here
    Hugs Cecilia

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    1. Thank you Cecilia, I would have enjoyed following your dog blogging friend :) I hope your Memorial Day weekend was a good one. Sending hugs and wishing you a happy June!

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  15. such an intense, moving image!! it was interesting to read what the french caretakers do!! have a great weekend and thank a vet!!

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    1. Thank you Debbie and happy weekend to you. Most definitely we will always thank a vet :)

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    1. Lest we forget. Thank you Jan and all the best to you too :)

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  17. Lovely, Denise. That's such a powerful place to visit. You feel the energy.

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  18. Beautiful post about those that gave it all. Thank you for sharing your poignant photo.

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    1. Thank you Martha Ellen, and you are very welcome :)

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  19. Your photo is touching, Denise!
    Some people are buried there while their families were waiting for them, what a shame. But it is very good that they respect the monuments and preserve them!
    It is necessary to pay tribute to these people!
    Thank you Denise!

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    1. Thank you Katerina :) I most definitely agree with you, we must always cherish and respect the memory of our Fallen Heroes.

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  20. Blessed Memorial Day to you, my friend.

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    1. Thank you so much Billie Jo, and to you also :)

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  21. I don't know if we can ever be thankful enough to them.

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    1. Thank you Rose, I don't think we will ever be able to :)

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  22. It must have been something to be on that beach in Normandy. Great photo.

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    1. It was very emotional and surreal. Thank you Ellen :)

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  23. This is so beautiful, Denise. We owe our lives to those who gave theirs for us.

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  24. My thoughts were with you on this special day of rememberance. God Bless x

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    1. That's so sweet and kind of you to say Beverley, thank you :)

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