So, true, Sue!
I am so humbled by those who gave so much so that we can enjoy the
freedoms we have. I recently visited the cemetery at Omaha Beach and
it is awe inspiring. So finely designed and manicured. The respect
is ingrained in There is a wall of stone that wraps around an area
in the back with thousands of Soldiers names, the bodies of which
were never found. There is a path to the beach and several German
bunkers still intact upon the cliffs. My father was stationed in
Normandy but I cannot imagine what those who arrived on the beach
that day thought as they were battered and watched their buddies
decimated inches from them. Nor can I imagine the deep wounds those
who survived carried with them all their lives.
On June 6th every year they have a massive celebration and the week
before and after floods the town with tourists and hundreds in
military garb. At the La Fiere bridge folks gather to watch 300
parachutists drop from planes and land where they did in 1944. It is
an unforgettable experience. As was the night we were sitting down
to eat on the 5th of June in Ste Mere Eglise when a small but fit 84
year old man wearing a cap with his unit displayed on it came by our
table to say thank you to us (!) for being there. He was a Marine
who had landed at Omaha beach which was the bloodiest of landings in
Normandy. Tears began streaming from his face as we broke out in
applause and all stood to thank him for his service to our country.
Between tears he told us he comes every year on this day to be
thanked because there is little or no appreciation in the U.S. for
what clearly defined the lives of these soldiers and the future of
our world as we know it. Then our director, Cpt. Dale Dye arrived
and we quickly filled him in on the situation and he wrapped an arm
around this soldier and asked him where he was from - both are from
Texas. Well, they were practically family by this point and Cpt. Dye
embraced him and they took a picture together. I have to say that
this veteran was beaming through his tears. There was nary a dry eye
in the place as we all knew this meant the world to him.
He should mean the world to us.
Patrick
On Jun 21, 2008, at 12:41 AM, Susan Heim wrote:
What a beautiful picture you paint. I have seen pictures of this
area and documentaries on the battlefields of this area. I saw
something recently on the cemetery at Omaha beach with surviving
veterans of that battle. The place seemed so serene and beautiful
that it was hard to imagine these men, now old and weathered,
having lived through the horror of those days. How frightening they
must have been as young boys, many away from home for the first
time in their lives, bearing witness to so much devastation. Those
men come to mind every time I see someone trashing this country and
taking what we have as a given. I believe in freedom of speech, but
I also believe in respect. Just my two cents. Have a great time in
Europe Michael.
Sue
www.hollywoodposterframes.com
(800) 463-2994
----- Original Message -----
From: Richard Del Belso
To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
Sent: Friday, June 20, 2008 3:19 PM
Subject: Re: [MOPO] OT: NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE
Patrick...what a beautiful response. So true, and so deeply felt by
you.
I, too, have spent some time in Normandy (and Brittany, too), and I
loved it. Yes, one feels the gratitude of the French and marvels at
the beachfront battlefields...but there are also the many charms of
Dinan and Dinard, and in Bayeaux, the historical tableau presented
by the marvelous tapestry. Then of course there is the incomparable
beauty of Mont St. Michel.
yes, a trip to France must include a visit to that area.
Richard
Richard Del Belso
> Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2008 23:52:36 +0200
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [MOPO] OT: NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE
> To: MoPo-L@LISTSERV.AMERICAN.EDU
>
> Tom,
>
> I have to say that anyone making a trip to Paris owes it to
> themselves and their families to take a day or two to visit the
> historical sites of the Normandy where
> the very freedom of the world was at stake and the tide turned
> against the Nazi juggernaut. It is a two hour train from St. Lazare
> station in Paris to Caen in Normandy.
> Then renting a car is best in order to provide maximum flexibility.
> Basing in the town of Bayeux is most central to the battlefields and
> cemeteries of Utah & Omaha,
> making it an easy visit to the magnificent memorial at Omaha
Beach as
> well as the strange but poignant German Cemetery which stands in
> stark design and contrast to
> that of the Americans. The complexity of the battles is astounding
> and the stories could fill libraries and movie screens for
> centuries. They revere us in Normandy, and
> we seem to have lost that sense of ourselves as having done so many
> things so well for the world as we divide ourselves with political
> concerns these days. But in Normandy,
> I found that their appreciation for the sacrifices that the United
> States made to set them free made me stand up a little taller and
> appreciate even more those who came before us.
> After a visit, one is reminded that freedom is not given but won by
> wanting it so desperately that you're willing to fight and die for
> it. The multitude of memorials to the U.S.
> are omnipresent, quite touching and inspiring. At the church in Ste.
> Mere Eglise the stained glass windows actually depict the Virgin
Mary
> with U.S. paratroopers descending all
> about her:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
> Image:Ste_Mere_Eglise_Paratroopers_from_Heaven.jpg
>
> Not to mention the quaint towns that you can almost literally
stumble
> upon that often appear as if the Seven Dwarfs reside there. The food
> is fantastic and I'm pretty sure
> now that the wine comes from the tap as it flows so easily. And
> don't get me started on the pastries...
>
> If you plan a trip and need any info I would be happy to provide any
> that I've gained. And I think Jim Dietz would likely know a lot
> about the region as well. I'll keep the list
> posted regarding the progress of the film.
>
> Patrick
>
>
>
> On Jun 20, 2008, at 10:35 PM, Tom Martin wrote:
>
> > interesting stuff- ! Tom
> >
> > Patrick Michael Tupy wrote:
> >
> >> Here's the website info on the film, NO BETTER PLACE TO DIE:
> >>
> >> http://www.nobetterplacetodie.com/
> >>
> >> Patrick
> >>
> >> Visit the MoPo Mailing List Web Site at www.filmfan.com
> >>
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