I have so many Canadian blogging friends, particularly Kat at Poetikat's Invisible Keepsakes I decided to 'squish' in one last unplanned post on the D-Day Landings before taking you all on a happier journey to Paris. This monument is outside the Canadian Memorial Museum at Juno Beach where the Canadian landings took place. Canada's sons in the 3rd infantry division paid a heavy price here, so far from home, as, of course, the First Canadian Army did at the liberation of Arnheim.An interesting aside is that this Museum was manned and wo-manned by the most delightful and courteous young Canadians doing a summer 'service'. They showed us the bathrooms (always a welcome stop on a long trip) and offered to answer any questions on the history of the battle site. Way to go, Canadian youth!
To answer a comment: Why do I mention that North Dakota is my adopted state? I was an exchange student in Rugby, North Dakota, a teeny-weeny dorpie (Afrikaans for a village) about 60 miles from the Canadian border in 1969/70. For the year, I was the member of the school debating team; our topic was American participation in Vietnam. Several of my school mates were affected by the call-up to that war. So the snowy, isolated plains of North Dakota and its people remain close to my South African heart.
11 comments:
How interesting Eleanor! I would have LOVED to have been an exchange student when I finished school but the opportunity never presented itself. My friend also spend a year in the States and LOVED it. He still has regular contact with his "family" there!
Yes, Janet. I do have contact with my 'family' after 40 years. Mom and Dad Baillie still live in Rugby as does lil' brother, Fred. Barb, my 'sister' lives with her large family in Minneapolis/St Paul. I have been back once to visit. But oh that flight is soooo long. Maybe I can pluck up my courage again and do a Paris stopover!
You are a terrific composite of the many places you've lived in and experienced, and I thank you for sharing.
I so enjoyed these posts Eleanor! I am still in a grieving state of mind and this makes me see how much grieving affects all lives, all over the world , when a loved one is lost! Thank you!
Love, Carol
Eleanor,
Thank you for stopping by. I have missed visiting you. Lately I have been busy in my art studio painting and have not been visiting my friends in the Land of Blog.
What a wonderful tribute. My sister Lynne just finished a quilt to pay tribute to a great uncle of ours who died in Normandy. It is so wonderful that people remember these men.
Have a lovely day.
Karen
Hello Eleanor. I am trying to play catch-up again it has been a hectic 10 days for me.
What lovely posts with very interesting information. I think the stark white of those crosses are really catching.
This has been a wondeful series of posts on Normandy. And I love the pictire of you amid the flowers!
Most of the sculptures in memory of heroes are very touching. And so is this one - an amazing sculpture! We never should forget people who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
One of my uncles in the Canadian Army during WWII was in the first series of boats overseas. He said they had no rifles provided until they landed.
An excellent place for history buffs on WWI and WWII is to visit:
http://archives.cbc.ca/war_conflict/first_world_war/clips/14167/
Eleanor, this is a lovely monument and tribute. I'm behind on my blog reading, and I am anxious to read more of yours.
XO,
Sheila :-)
That is a lovely monument Eleanor. I hope you had a great weekend. It was so nice being able to sit outside and soak up some sunshine again without that icy wind blowing through you.
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