This is the first of of a series of three posts about a trip this week to Normandy. The Normandy American Cemetery is one of 14 permanent World War II cemeteries maintained on foreign soil. On a cold April morning, this memorial high atop a seaside cliff was achingly-beautiful in the mist and fog. I've visited this site three times and am always touched by its beauty, as well as the tributes to the remarkable courage and bravery of those who died fighting for freedom in WWII.
The memorial - A semi-circular colonnade is made of limestone from the Cote d'Or region of France, while plinths and steps are formed of granite from Brittany. At either end of the colonnade, various World War II battle maps are engraved in stone. A magnificent 22-foot bronze sculpture depicts "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves." Click photos to enlarge.
A close-up shot of the bronze sculpture's feet.
A reflecting pool in front of The Memorial is surrounded by pathways to the graves area.
Trees are barely visible through the thick morning fog.
Mist and fog shroud white marble crosses honouring the 9,387 servicemen buried here. The Garden of the Missing, located behind the Memorial, contains names of 1,557 people from 49 of the 50 American states, the District of Columbia and Guam. Their remains have not been recovered or positively identified.
A tree shaped like an Egyptian obelisk centers this group of graves marked by Christian crosses or the Star of David.
Heather and other plants and shrubs grow in a shady area near the Chapel.
The mosaic on the Chapel's ceiling symbolises America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air to fight for freedom. A grateful France is shown bestowing a laurel wreath upon the dead who gave their lives to liberate Europe.
Words can't do justice
to those valiant men who fought
and rescued freedom
A quote on the wall of the Chapel, which is constructed of Vaurion limestone.
End-of-season tulips at the entrance to the American Cemetery in Normandy.
I very much enjoyed the sculpture!! thanks for taking the time to share it
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 22 April 2007 at 13:30
Yes, Tara....a splendid piece of work. The pictures bring the story to life. Conciousness has been raised.
Posted by: nutster | 22 April 2007 at 02:28
These are breathtaking photos. I visited this cemetery alone in about 1993 -- my husband dropped me off because our daughters were quite young and he took them off to fly a kite or something. I wasn't one to cry much at that time of my life. But I cried.
Posted by: Betty C. | 21 April 2007 at 20:57
Thank you so much.
- Lee
Posted by: Lee | 21 April 2007 at 08:27
Not having been there yet, these photos are such a powerfully emotional and beautiful treat. Merci chere Tara. xx, JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 21 April 2007 at 05:43
I've never been to this part of Normandy, though I've long wanted to. I pray for the return of the better angels of our national spirit, so evident in the actions of those soldiers and sailors and so movingly memorialized there in France.
Posted by: Laura | 20 April 2007 at 13:02
these pics are beautiful, they so capture the emotion that you must have felt standing there. i went to DC when i was in HS and took about 15 pictures of the tomb of the unknown soldier. the spiritual feeling that i was impressed with there wasn't captured though, as you've done here. you're always an inspiration!
Posted by: jenica | 20 April 2007 at 10:57
I haven't been to Normandy yet ... having concentrated mainly on the Flanders Fields memorials to New Zealand and Australian soldiers. Normandy looks like a place I would like to visit ... beautiful moody images Tara.
Posted by: Di | 20 April 2007 at 10:18
These were VERY moving pictures..a more up close and personal view of the reminder of the sacrifices made in the name of freedom.
Thank you.
XOXO
Posted by: Lisa Oceandreamer | 20 April 2007 at 07:29
It's always such a moving sight. We see it on TV every year, with so many Canadians in those graves. The Garden of the Missing especially brings a lump to my throat.
It should have been the war to end all wars.
Posted by: Colette | 20 April 2007 at 06:42
Oh Tara, these misty pictures made me teary eyed. Dave and I have never seen this and we are so very grateful you shared these. Hauntingly beautiful! XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 20 April 2007 at 03:44
What a beautiful memorial - and tribute. The photo of the crosses, seen through the mist, is especially moving. Thank you for sharing it with us, Tara - sad though it may be - we need to remember the many who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom.
xoxo
Posted by: tinker | 20 April 2007 at 02:36
Tara.......your photos and words truly made me feel the atmosphere there. I love the statue....so strong and vibrant.......and I love the photo of the feet with the beautiful colourful flowers in the background. I have never been to Normandy and would like to see it in person........to feel and to remember...
I look forward to your next posts....
Posted by: awareness | 20 April 2007 at 00:41
Magnificent Tara. So quietly powerful and moving. I've never seen pictures of this memorial. I'm so glad you posted it here.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 19 April 2007 at 20:40
This was beautiful.
I was taken there when I was 12 years of age whilst on a trip through Europe with my family. At 12 nothing much affects you but the site of all those white crosses has never left me. From that day on I listened when adults talked about the war, which they did a lot in those days and now I can pass on their stories to my kids and grand children.
When we go to Paris to visit Charlotte we pass by a war cemetery, we can just see it in the distance and I get a lump in my throat every time, just as I have today here. Thank You.
Posted by: Di Overton | 19 April 2007 at 18:51
Your photos are like paintings. Beautiful!
Posted by: Britt-Arnhild | 19 April 2007 at 18:45
I keep coming back here this morning to gaze at these photos:)I have to echo amber, that fog makes these photos so much more brilliant France did a beautiful job memorializing our boys didn't they? thank you again hon! xo
Posted by: berrie | 19 April 2007 at 18:44
Oh, thank you for this, Tara. It makes me weep a little, but it is sooo, so beautiful...I will have to show Kory. Normandy was the one place he really wanted to see on our trip years ago. But it was a big anniversary, and vets and survivors had filled up all the places to stay, we were told. So we skipped it. Someday we will have to take the kids back to France, and be sure to see it.
I am struck by how the fog leands itself to the feeling of the place, and the beauty.
My grandpa's favorite brother was killed on the beaches. He never, ever got over it. He would speak of him, and still cry, even after so many decades had passed...I like to think his spirit was there to meet my grandpa when he passed. How happy he would have been to see him!
:)
Posted by: Amber | 19 April 2007 at 18:38
This is a stunning series of photos. So breathtaking and poignant. Thanks for sharing them with us. Love the quote. Words to live by, eh?
Posted by: ally bean | 19 April 2007 at 17:44
Thank you Tara...Normandy fascinates me...for all of her faults these days....America the Beautiful shines in forgotten corners all around the globe..God Bless her* xo
Posted by: berrie | 19 April 2007 at 16:54
Our two sons aged 8 and 11 felt Normandy was their favourite region of France on a family trip to France last year. They were quiet and subdued and they slowly walked through the rows and rows of marble crosses and the eight year old was struck but the sheer number of them. It was indeed a powerfull sight. Thanks for the haunting phtots. Melissa
Posted by: melissa | 19 April 2007 at 15:59
That is breathtaking. My son will love seeing these photos, also.
Posted by: Southern Heart | 19 April 2007 at 15:41