and it was embroidered in 1067 and still preserved incredibly. I also got to go to the D-day or Jour-J memorial and museum in Caen. That is where I found this poster of Norman Rockwell. I couldn't pass up a picture because all my life I remember looking at it in Dad's den thinking what a cool picture it was. The whole D-day museum was so neat. They had an awesome video of actual footage of D-day that was really moving. It's always humbling to see things like that, especially for people my age I think. Watching videos of D-day, I couldn't help but think how primitive it all looked. It is incredible to think how much we have advanced technologically and I think it's difficcult for people my age to imagine life without ipods and computers. Being at the museum really helps put it all in perspective, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to be reminded of how lucky I am to live in a time where I don't have to witness such things.
After Caen, we drove to Point du Hoc, where Americans landed on D-day. The cliffs behind Jennica and I are the same ones that American troops had to climb to take over enemy ground. The picture of me in the huge hole is actually a crater made by a bomb. The whole cliff is covered in them.
Point du Hoc was really neat because you can go into all the bomb shelters and its all there exactly how it was left. I am peaking out of a hole that has tons of underground tunnels leading up to it. The picture below is Jennica and I on Omaha Beach, another site where Americans landed on D-day. It's amazing to think that so many people died on such a beautiful, calm beach.
Our last stop was the American Cemetary on Omaha beach. It is a really beautiful place over looking the very place where Americans landed on D-day. There are 8 plots in the cemetary and thousands of men are buried there. The lady that worked there told me that 44 sets of American brothers died on D-day and 31 of them are buried at the cemetary on Omaha beach. I thought that was really interesting. It is so overwhelming to see all the grave stones. Inside, they have a computer where you can look up family members. I typed in 'Smart' and one person came up. Hubert Smart died on D-day, but I don't think he is related to us. Also, President Hinckley's brother died during World War II. He's not buried at this cemetary, but I thought that was interesting as well.
This is me at a monument in the cemetary. People think that the French don't like Americans, but it really isnt true. The whole weekend for me felt very Pro-American. At the D-day museum, there was a whole section on how grateful the French were for their Canadian and American brothers for stepping in to help liberate France. There was also a really cool 9-11 expo. It was really cool to see such an American Exhibition in France. Anyway, it was such a cool weekend full of fun historical facts and places. It couldnt have come at a better time since we all just voted. I'm so proud to be an American, even while in France. I should say, especially while I'm in France. Being an American is such an amazing blessing and like I said, I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to visit such important historical sites.
4 comments:
I continue to experience feelings of envy concerning each new place that you visit. Normandy is most definately on my must see list. I hope I don't die before I get there. We share so much with France, truly "Brothers in the Revolution" so to speak. Its sad that we have become so critical of each other. We build bridges of understanding one stone at a time. When Saburo Sakai's daughter married, he was so excited and proud. He told me that "Brothers argue and fight, but they don't go to war against each other." He said "Japan and America would never wage war against each other so long as we viewed each other as Brothers, not just friends." His record of downing 64 American Planes during WWII and causing the deaths of hundreds of Americans, belied his peaceful nature. He reminded us all that international relationships are built one friend at a time. When people protested his arrival in Yakima, i was embarrassed, but he just ignored them and told me that he can only control how he feels. You are a part of building a stronger bond with our Brothers in the Revolution in France. What a cool thing!
Dad, I liked you sharing that about Saburo Sakai. I remember meeting him, but I didn't remember even half of those details.
Syd, you have no idea how envious I am of your visit to Normandy. I've studied a lot about D-day and I really, really hope to visit someday. I especially like the picture of you in the crater. That gives some perspective to all of us. Great post! Miss you! I thought about you a lot today as I raked leaves and bagged 36 hefty bags of wet leaves. I had some time to think and realized that I miss you! Hurry home!
I meant to say that "when Sakai's daughter married an 'American'..." She married a man from Texas with the last name of "Smart." By the way his first grandson was named, "Maxwell Smart."
Also Sydney I wanted to comment on the picture of the Rockwell painting that you posted. This painting was entitled "Freedom of Speech." It depicts the common man exercising his right to speak at a small public hearing, such a school board meeting or a town hall meeting. Sometimes the clarion voice of truth is hewn from rough stone. His hands are are rough (he's clearly a working man), his clothing is humble and his appearance is entirely unassuming, but the report in his pocket has been read--he is informed, he has an opinion and he is expressing his views. He is respectfully being listened to by his neighbors. This is one of my favorite paintings because of what it says in obvious, as well as subtle ways. This was part of the Freedom series done by Rockwell. He painted 4 Freedom paintings following President Roosevelt's 1941 State of the Union address outlining the Four Freedoms that every person in the "world" is entitled to enjoy. Those Freedoms are: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. Your mom and I love the hopeful messages of these paintings. We have framed 3 Rockwell prints, 2 of them from the Freedom series.
I know your thing is French Art, but thought you might be interested. We need to hear more details about your travels. You should do a family night or two for us on "All Things French!" when you get back.
Dad, thanks for sharing that! I know that I have an intense appreciation for all things European, especially all things French, but like I said, there is no country like our country! I'm so proud to be an American and I think we all should be. Art is such a powerful expression and I have learned so much about the ways people have thought of to express their inner thoughts and most cherished beliefs since i've been here. It's interesting you mentioned the man's hands in the painting. That is the first thing I noticed as well. If you want to know more about hands, I'd be happy to let you kknow. Hands say more in art than any other body part in my opinion. I hope you and mom and get to Normandy someday because it's so amazing!
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