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May 26, 2013

Visiting the American Cemetery at Normandy


American Cemetery Normandy France

Humbling. Sobering. Awe-inspiring.

Perched high atop a cliff overlooking the rugged coastline of France, the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is a place that defies all superlatives. Everything about it is staggering: the size, the number of graves, the way the sheer beauty of the place contrasts with the desperate battle that waged just below, on Omaha Beach. Looking out over the English Channel on a peaceful day, it's hard to imagine the bloodshed of June 6, 1944.



Visitors enter through a museum that tries to bring some of that enormity down to size. A video tells the stories of a few individual soldiers. World War II uniforms, ration packs, medical kits, letters, equipment, maps, photographs, and more depict the build-up to D-Day and the execution of Operation Overlord. The museum alone could absorb half a day of contemplation. And somehow, it still doesn’t prepare you for what’s next.


For beyond the museum doors lies a sea of green grass and white marble headstones, seemingly without end. Stretched out in neat rows are 9,387 Latin crosses and Stars of David, each marking the final resting place of an American serviceman. Many are unknown. A reverent hush lies over the place as visitors wander through, some looking for a special grave, some just trying to take it all in. There is no doubt that this is sacred ground.














The markers are engraved only with the person’s name, company or division, state, and date of death. Perhaps, as someone suggested to us, it was believed that including the date of birth would make the cemetery seem overwhelmingly sad. We were reminded that 60 percent of the Americans who perished in Europe were sent back to the states for burial, so the ones buried here represent only a fraction of the total losses.


The Memorial, which sits in front of a large reflecting pool, features a striking statue depicting “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.” Engraved tablets record the names of 1,557 missing in action, while stone maps show the positions of the D-Day landings and air operations. Fresh flowers at the base of the statue express gratitude to the sacrifices of the World War II generation. The families of Dachau concentration camp victims and survivors send a new arrangement every week.

Memorial American Cemetery Normandy


Two American flags fly proudly over the cemetery. At the end of each day, the flags are lowered, one at a time, while a single trumpet plays Taps.


It’s a sight and sound I hope I never forget, and one that seems especially poignant on Memorial Day. Thank you, all who served, and especially those who rest today in Normandy.

--Shelley


© Shelley Bishop 2013. Please request permission to use photographs and/or written material.

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10 comments:

  1. Very nice tribute.

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  2. This post made me weep. What terrible, unimaginable courage! So many American dead. I am grateful for every battle that helped turn this hard-fought war. My father was an Army Major in WWII, though he was not in the front lines. Greatest respect for these men.

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    1. Yes, Mariann, I find my respect for them continues to grow the more I know. Walking through this cemetery and seeing the museum and beaches really made their sacrifice tangible to me.

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  3. I enjoyed reading and looking over your blog. It is very well done.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and letting me know--I appreciate it!

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  4. Thank you for this post. Wonderful pics. I had no idea this cemetery existed and I have now put it on my "Places I want to visit" list.

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    1. It's well worth visiting, Emily, and you can see the beaches and other D-Day sights while you're there. The little town of Bayeux makes a lovely base for touring the area. Sounds like a great addition to your bucket list.

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  5. Shelley,

    Thank you for this wonderful post! I want to let you know that it's listed in today's Fab Finds post at http://janasgenealogyandfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/05/follow-friday-fab-finds-for-may-31-2013.html

    Have a great weekend!

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  6. My wife and I were among a group of tourists visiting the Normandy American Cemetery in July. During our stroll among the graves before the afternoon ceremony at the memorial we ran across the grave of Alva E. Tipton, Oklahoma. At the ceremony we were given a long-stem rose and invited to place it on a grave. We retraced our steps and found his grave. I do not know this person but I was born and reared in Oklahoma and my mother's maiden name was Tipton. My wife was born in Alva, Oklahoma, so the words caught our attention. If there are any family members of Alva Tipton alive today I wish they could know that we paid our respects to their loved one and felt a deep sense of gratitude for what he and others did to preserve freedom in the world. Tom McAnally. mcanally@comcast.net

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