Monday, November 12, 2012

An American Cemetery in France

Perfectly pristine and cared for.  We came across this American Cemetery in Draguignan, France.  The weather was not good this day.  It was slightly misting, but would not stop us from a quiet walk through an American Cemetery in France.  





"The site of the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in France was selected because of its historic location along the route of the U.S. Seventh Army's drive up the Rhone Valley. It was established on August 19, 1944 after the Seventh Army's surprise landing in southern France. 

On 12.5 acres at the foot of a hill clad with the characteristic cypresses, olive trees, and oleanders of southern France, rest 860 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the liberation of southern France in August 1944. Their headstones are arranged in straight lines, divided into four plots, and grouped about an oval pool. At each end of the cemetery is a small garden. On the hillside overlooking the cemetery is the chapel with its wealth of decorative mosaic and large sculptured figures. Between the chapel and the burial area, a bronze relief map recalls military operations in the region. On the retaining wall of the terrace, 294 names of the missing are inscribed. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified." 




Not only Veteran's Day, but let us remember every day and never forget.

12 comments:

  1. Every day. Every day.

    I love cemeteries on misty days.

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  2. We owe so much to our brave men. Glad you had a wonderful trip to France.

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  3. The war cemeteries here are always immaculate. We are very impressed, Nigel has a Canadian Uncle buried at Saint Omer, Longuenesse cemetary. It took us a while to find him, but the records are good and find him we did.
    Take care Diane

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  4. We owe so very much to our veterans and service men and women. What a pretty cemetery you found Susan. Glad you had a wonderful trip.
    Sam

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  5. It definitely looks in pristine condition to honor all of our brave military. You are right on spot, "let us remember every day and never forget."

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  6. Good to hear a bit about your trip. Sounds like you had a good time. Hope to hear more.

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  7. Susan, hope you're having a wonderful time! What beautiful pictures and a reminder of how much our military have sacrificed for us!

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  8. We visited this site in June...so moving. It was cool and misty on the day we visited...I can't even imagine what the young soldiers faced on D-Day.

    PS...I used water crackers with my brie. Hope you enjoy the recipe :)

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  9. What a beautiful tribute for that special day. You can see it well kept.
    Rita

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  10. That must have been a very moving experience, Susan. What a beautiful resting place for our brave soldiers.

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  11. History provides us valuable and honored lessons, and allows us time to reflect about our own lives and the sacrifices of those before us. Thank you for sharing.

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