In Normandie, as the French spell it, there are many memorials to those who fought and died in the Allied invasion during June and July of 1944. One of these is the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, on a bluff above what English speakers call the English Channel.
It seems appropriate that the largest seaborne invasion in history would take place in the area of France conquered by earlier seafaring invaders. But the scale was quite different.
The remains of almost 10,000 souls are interred here, resting under rows of monuments installed with impeccable precision. That the memorial is emotionally powerful is an understatement.
The names, rank, unit, and date of death of each are inscribed on the headstones. The lives ended prematurely either on the beaches or nearby are predominantly short. They gave up not only their lives, but future families, children, and grandchildren not even imagined.
And there are those unidentified. Not granted even the small solace of recorded names, they lie there with all the others.
But here, they are not forgotten. They sacrificed so that a tyrant would not continue to impose his twisted will on France and all of Europe.
The inscription on the circular chapel in the center of the cemetery says, "These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace." Indeed. But the fight continues, and will never end.
It seems appropriate that the largest seaborne invasion in history would take place in the area of France conquered by earlier seafaring invaders. But the scale was quite different.
The remains of almost 10,000 souls are interred here, resting under rows of monuments installed with impeccable precision. That the memorial is emotionally powerful is an understatement.
The names, rank, unit, and date of death of each are inscribed on the headstones. The lives ended prematurely either on the beaches or nearby are predominantly short. They gave up not only their lives, but future families, children, and grandchildren not even imagined.
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| Michael Wess PVT 325 GLI INF 82 ABN DIV ILLINOIS June 12, 1944 |
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| Sam Sandrowitz PVT 120 INF 30 DIV NY June 15, 1944 |
And there are those unidentified. Not granted even the small solace of recorded names, they lie there with all the others.
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| "Here lies in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God." |
But here, they are not forgotten. They sacrificed so that a tyrant would not continue to impose his twisted will on France and all of Europe.
The inscription on the circular chapel in the center of the cemetery says, "These endured all and gave all that justice among nations might prevail and that mankind might enjoy freedom and inherit peace." Indeed. But the fight continues, and will never end.
This place is both a memorial to the brave souls who died here in Normandie,
and also to the insanity of War.
Thank you for reminding us.
ReplyDeleteMy father was a member of the 531st Engineer Shore Regiment and was involved in the invasions of Northern Africa, Sicily, Italy and France.
How much sacrifice will be enough?
Good question. I fear we both know the answer.
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