Normandy Cemetery

[Kitsap]

Today.

 

I awoke Monday morning to a brilliant blue sky, a hint of a breeze present as I made way for my rental car. Putting my self in the mood Glen Miller played from my IPOD over the car’s audio system. At 8:30 am on a national holiday the road was an empty black ribbon until my terminus of the American Cemetery on the Normandy coast.

 

My arrival was the second of the day with only one other vehicle present in the parking lot. I was surprised that a security check was required to enter the visitor’s center; it had not even occurred to me that this place would be a target.

 

The visitor center spells out the nuts and bolts of the actions leading up to and including June 6th but the exceptional content is the individual stories that pull at your guts but make you proud of the human spirit.

 

Exiting the center the cemetery is off to the South along a walk that overlooks the coast. Today was very peaceful with bird song and a light breeze. Down on the sand three wheeled sailing vessels skimmed along the sand reminiscent of water bugs; the cemetery is a very beautiful final resting place.

 

Fully absorbed in my thoughts as I strolled the elegant crosses I’m suddenly aware that more people are present now. Maybe a couple dozen people are present now but one gentleman in particular grabs my attention, he is walking the grounds with a sense of purpose with parchment in hand. Smartly dressed in black he appears to be in his 60’s but with the gate of a younger man. He paces to a section of crosses maybe 30 yards from me. I feel I’m intruding upon this man but can’t remove my gaze. He stops before a cross, kneels down and begins to softly cry. I feel tears welling up and have to turn away and walk to the path overlooking the beach. Kids are now playing on the sand and the sails continue to move up and down the beach.

 

more pics..http://kitsap.smugmug.com/Travel/Caen-France/11712592_FPAge#827451474_mtRhC

[Twisties]

Wow Wade. Sounds like quite a trip. Hope you are finding what you are looking for.

[Woodie]

Nice words, Wade.

 

I don't know why, but this cemetery always gets me more than any other. Arlington is solemn (not quite the right word), but not as much as Villeneuve.

[Marty Hill]

Wade, I teared up on my visit. The numbers of graves and the young ages of the guys got to me. It must have been hell on earth during the first day.

[azkaisr]

Been there many a time amigo. I used to live near the 3rd Army Cemetery in Lux where Patton is buried. Hope you got to see some of the other ones in the area as well. They each have an amazing story

 

The British Cemetery South of Caen

 

The German Cemetery Just West of Omaha Beach

 

The US Cemetery at Omaha

 

There are also a some great museums SOUTH of Caen if you get the chance near Falaise

 

 

[hANNAbONE]

bUCKETLIST for me is to travel there and see it first hand. Thanks for the pics and story.