Memorial Day in Normandy

It was a fitting day to pay our respects at the American Military Cemetery in Normandy, France. Red, white and blue American and French flags adorned every snow-white marker in the cemetery. Clouds made scarce appearances in the sky. Mother Nature had rolled out her best weather. It was Memorial Day 2010.

As we walked through the rows of countless headstones, I overheard a young girl, who was dressed in pale pink, asking her mom questions. Her mother had presumably tried to explain to her that this was a place where men were buried. Still, the concept must have been abstract to the child, who was squirming on the ground, peering at marker after marker.

“Ooh, ” she exclaimed, while pointing to a headstone with not a cross but a Star of David. “This one must have been really important! He has a star!”

Normandy American Military Cemetery photograph by Tricia Mitchell

Normandy American Military Cemetery in France photograph by Tricia Mitchell

We did not linger to hear what the mother said to her child, but the moment was striking. We could only imagine what other difficult questions the child posed to her family about this place where the souls of so many men slept.

How do you begin to explain this chapter of history to a child?

Grave in Normandy cemetery photograph by Tricia Mitchell

Graves in Normandy cemetery, France photograph by Tricia Mitchell

Normandy cemetery, France photograph by Tricia Mitchell

We divided our time between the memorial structures and the emerald green lawn where 9,387 individuals are buried. Flowers had been placed by American and French visitors. There were bright red geraniums, wilting roses, poppies, and wreaths with messages. Some flowers had been delivered by French schoolchildren. Others had been placed by community organizations.

Flowers at American Military Cemetery in Normandy France photograph by Tricia Mitchell

A dedication was inscribed in French on one panel of the monument:

“1941-1945: Les Etats-Unis d’Amérique, fiers des exploits de leurs fils, humblés devant leurs sacrifices, ont erigé ce monument, à leur mémoire.”

American Military Cemetery in Normandy French Inscription photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American Military Cemetery in Normandy Statue Reaching to Sky photograph by Tricia Mitchell

Graves in American Military Cemetery in Normandy photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American Military Cemetery in Normandy Ceiling Detail photograph by Tricia Mitchell

Mirrored on the other side of the monument was the English translation:

“1941-1945: In proud remembrance of the achievements of her sons and in humble tribute to their sacrifice this memorial has been erected by the United States of America.”

American Military Cemetery in Normandy Inscription in English photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American Military Cemetery in Normandy photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American Military Cemetery in Normandy France photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American Military Cemetery in Normandy Reflecting Pool photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American Military Cemetery in Normandy Wreaths and Flowers photograph by Tricia Mitchell

Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God photograph by Tricia Mitchell

graves in Normandy cemetery photograph by Tricia Mitchell

American flag at American Military Cemetery in Normandy photograph by Tricia Mitchell

As we walked away from the cemetery, the beaches of Normandy fell into the background. Then we paused, took a deep breath, and remembered.

Where in the World?

About the author

Hi! My name is Tricia Mitchell. I delight in telling stories about my slow travels through more than 65 countries. Some of my highlights have included sharing meals with locals in Armenia, Cambodia, and Tunisia; sipping sparkling wine with French cousins in Alsace; milking goats in a sleepy Bulgarian village; and training with a Japanese mine-clearance team in Laos. My husband, Shawn, and I are based in France’s Loire Valley.

34 responses to “Memorial Day in Normandy”

Anita Mac

May 26, 2012

A fitting tribute for Memorial Day.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  Thank you, Anita.
  
belocchio

May 26, 2012

Your emotional blog brought tears to my eyes. My Uncle is buried in Belgium, and the Belgium family who began looking after his grave after world war two, continue to do so today. Letters and photographs have been exchanged. We are forever linked to Belgium and that family. Virginia

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  How touching, Virginia! Not only that they tend to the grave so lovingly, but also that a beautiful friendship has been born out of a tragic event. I hope that someday you will be able to meet this kind family!
  
  My husband and I visited the Mardasson Memorial in Bastogne, Belgium last spring. It was erected by the Belgian population to show their gratitude. Living in Europe, there’s always so much history in one’s backyard!
  
apoetsjournal

May 26, 2012

Poignant pictures…least we forget.. They did not die in vain.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  I’m glad the photos spoke to you, Carole. We also went to the cemetery to remember fallen Canadian soldiers in Normandy. We were there at sunset, with very different lighting. It was equally-touching.
  
  Hope you’re enjoying your newfound freedom, now that your studies have wrapped up for the summer! Thank you for dropping by.
  
Mary Ann Mitchell

May 26, 2012

Your wonderful posting brought back many memories of that trip.
Mary Ann

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  Hi Mary Ann, thank you! I forgot that you two weren’t able to see the historic sites in Normandy that day. Here’s to more postings from that trip! :)
  
Victor Ho

May 27, 2012

It’s nice to commemorate in a true spirit of the day.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  Victor, thank you. Here’s hoping you’re having a splendid long weekend!
  
Sonali Dalal

May 27, 2012

I see some lovely composition here Tricia! Wonderful series!

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  A great compliment – thank you, Sonali!
  
  1. Sonali Dalal
    
    May 27, 2012
    
    :)
Rachael

May 27, 2012

This is a beautifully put together post. Super images, as always, and it is very well-written. This line is a good example: “this place where the souls of so many men slept”. You put it very simply and without overstatement, which makes it all the more poignant. Well done.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  Rachael, I’m pleased that you found the post to be effective in conveying the power of the memorial. We didn’t make it to the British cemetery or beaches (only the American and Canadian) but I am sure they are just as moving as the ones we saw.
  
rigmover

May 27, 2012

Great post, thanks again Tricia.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  Thank you, Mark.
  
liberalcynic

May 27, 2012

Lovely photographs.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2012
  
  Many thanks for stopping by!
  
2 Rivers Photos

May 27, 2012

Thanks for sharing… the saddest one was the tombstone that said known but to God :(

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 28, 2012
  
  Sadly, there are numerous ones like that throughout the cemetery.
  
Into the jaws of death « Hyperemesis Gravidarum Survivor

May 29, 2012

[…] Memorial Day in Normandy (triciaannemitchell.com) […]

A Day to Remember « …At Your Fingertips

June 6, 2012

[…] Memorial Day in Normandy (triciaannemitchell.com) Share this:TwitterFacebookStumbleUponLinkedInLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. […]

crowcanyonjournal

June 10, 2012

We spent our Memorial Day last month at the Henri-Chapelle American cemetery in southeast Belgium. It was a touching ceremony, much like the one you witnessed in Normandy. Many Belgians wearing star-spangled ties, scarves and dresses came to say thank-you to the American military who were killed on Belgian soil during World War II.

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  June 11, 2012
  
  Thank you for sharing your experience; it indeed sounds as though it was a moving one. Did you also visit the Mardasson Memorial in Bastogne? While in Belgium last spring, we went there; it was quite touching to see this monument made by the Belgian people.
  
  Hopefully soon, I’ll be sharing a post about our visit to the American Cemetery in Manila a few months ago. My grandfather fought in the Pacific during WWII, and it special to visit there.
  
Been There, Seen That, Got the Postcard

January 16, 2014

I visited Normandy when I was at school with a few veterans who had been part of the D-Day landings. Very eye-opening and humbling. I’d love to go back as an adult and experience it with a bit more understanding. I love your photos too!

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  January 17, 2014
  
  Hi there, Got The Postcard :) Thanks for dropping by. Being able to talk with the veterans certainly makes the experience even more powerful. Were you there on the anniversary? It’s hard to believe that next year is the 70th anniversary of the landings.
  
  1. Been There, Seen That, Got the Postcard
    
    January 17, 2014
    
    It definitely gave us a different perspective to the whole trip, as they were able to explain to us what it was really like for them. We weren’t there for an anniversary, I think it was 2005/6? We did get to lay a wreath with them in one of the cemeterys though, which was extremely touching! Reading your post has made me want to return though, so just in the process of persuading my boyfriend :)
  2. Tricia A. Mitchell
    
    January 18, 2014
    
    Perhaps you two can return for next year’s big anniversary then. We attended some of the commemorative events on 6 June 2013, about three years after the visit in this blog post. One of the veterans we met was in his nineties, but still “sharp as a tack.” He talked to us about loving to dance the foxtrot, and having once seen Louis Armstrong perform. :)
    
    If you’re curious what the atmosphere is like for the early June commemorative events, here’s a glimpse of a second photo essay that I did, from that anniversary visit: https://triciaannemitchell.com/2013/06/06/honoring-the-greatest-generation-at-dday-celebrations-in-normandy-2013/
Mandy

May 27, 2014

Fantastic photos Tricia! I recently visited the American Cemetary over Easter weekend and I was thinking about that this weekend, wondering what it must be like to visit on Memorial Day. Thank you for sharing this!

1. Tricia A. Mitchell
  
  May 27, 2014
  
  Hi Mandy, lovely of you to drop by, and thank you for your compliment about the images.
  
  I’ve visited Normandy on Memorial Day and during D-Day commemorations, and both visits were incredibly moving. Last June we were there for the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and it was special getting a chance to speak with some of the veterans, many of whom are now in their nineties. It’s hard to believe that this year will mark the 70th anniversary. Strangely enough, there were mixed emotions during the D-Day week: somber ceremonies to remember, yet we also saw young & older re-enactors in 1940s garb, read about 1940s dances, and even saw people land-sailing on one of the beaches. How long were you in Normandy this past spring?
  
  1. Mandy
    
    June 3, 2014
    
    We were just there over Easter weekend and it was only my second visit to France. I enjoyed it so much that I booked to take my mum to Paris in September. Although born in Alexandria, Egypt, my mum lived in Paris until she was 9 and hasn’t been back since!
  2. Tricia A. Mitchell
    
    June 4, 2014
    
    Mandy, sounds like you and your mom have a fascinating background! Has she been back to Egypt?
  3. Mandy
    
    June 4, 2014
    
    No, never but as far as I know she isn’t as keen to go back there as she is to France. I never thought of asking!

Travels with Tricia