I have been to Arlington but it is one thing to go from the Smithsonian, to the FBI, to the White House, to Arlington and quite another to go from St. Mère Église to Utah Beach, to Pointe Du Hoc, to Bloody Omaha and then come to the American Cemetery at St. Laurent. Children walk quietly, people stop and face the flag as taps are played and the flag is lowered. It is a place of quite, ironic peace, and reflection.
When we arrived, a lady was asking the attendant, "do you take people to specific graves?" "Yes," was the reply. "Thank you, I would like to visit the grave of my mother's first husband."
Look at the photo below. You
will see a chapel located midway in the cemetery. I walked in and a young
couple was standing with their backs to me. I recognized them - from Pointe
Du Hoc - the guy from Chicago and his French girlfriend. They turned around
to leave - I said - quietly, with a respect for the sense of place, "Hello, again."
This young woman, stopped, looked at me and said, "As a French woman, I want you
to know, how special this place is to me. I want you to know that we appreciate
the sacrifice made by all those who are buried here - for what they did for France
- we will never forget." Nor will I.
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Thanks for joining
us on this virtual trip. I hope you found it enjoyable.
Chuck Allan
Jacksonville,
Florida
November
2000