06 June - D-Day and Visit to St. Avold, Lorraine American Cemetery

   I can't say it was a lovely day in any way, but it was meaningful.  We are glad we went to the Lorraine American Cemetery.  When we woke the rain was here as predicted.  Sadly, we were not perceptive enough to bring our coats with us for the day. 

   Anyway, off we went via bus, Metro, TGV, and regular train for our arrival in St. Avold.  We called the cemetery and a lovely, professional, young woman name Valerie picked us up and take us to the cemetery.  The flowers we ordered were waiting for us in the office.  It is a lovely cemetery despite the rain, but it also a very sad experience.  Somewhat like going to Pearl Harbor or viewing a prison camp museum.  So many crosses or stars, row after row of those who gave the ultimate price for freedom for so many.  After bringing us to the main office Valerie drove us to the grave site of Robert Glos.  We placed the flowers on his grave, she placed a US flag and a French flag on the grave and said those were ours to keep when we left.  One thing she also did was rub sand in the name and dates on the cross so the text would show up.  She pointed out that even the sand is significant because it was sand from Omaha Beach.  Of course by  then I was shedding tears thinking of this young man of 21 who left the Napa Valley and never came home again.  Certainly, I believe these young men; husbands, brothers, uncles, cousins, etc. are in another place now, but it was a moving event to visit this cemetery and chapel especially after all the stories of WWII and other things we have learned on this trip.       

   I suspect many of you have viewed the happenings in Normandy at the various beaches.  Please keep in mind there are 25 (or 28) cemeteries across Europe holding those soldiers who remain "forever young."  Lorraine American Cemetery is the largest in Europe.  I won't say anymore about this visit but just post a few photographs.

   We decided to change our return trip to Paris since we would not walk around or have a picnic as planned due to the rain.  We would also forgo any plans in Paris due to rain and mood.  A moving day.