Once in a three generation experience !
 

Preface - Our recent trip to Vibraye, France ( region of Sarthe- Loire Valley - 40 km east of Lemans ) actually began 65 years ago. On May 21 1944, 14 days before the Allied DDay Invasion Capt MAS of the US Army Air Force 395 Ftr SQ 386 Ftr GP was mortally wounded in a dogfight with a German about noon in heavily overcast skies. The Vibraysiennes knew exactly what had happened even though they could not see the airplanes. They knew from the sound that an Allied Soldier was down in the Forest of Vibraye about 2km south of their village. A fiery explosion followed. After a few weeks his young wife in Maryland and his family in Alabama were notified - Capt MAS was MIA. About two years later their worst fears were confirmed Capt MAS was killed in action. His remains had been discovered / recovered in a small village. At the wishes of his widow and his parents Capt MAS was disenterred and his remains were moved to the American Cemetery in Normandy to remain with his men and the others who fought with him.


A number of years later JE a young man living near LeMans begins to realize what an important role Allied Forces played in the freedoms he enjoyed as a Frenchman. He noticed total indifference in his parents. This fueled a passion to locate Allied Soldiers who were killed in action in his home district of Sarthe in the upper Loire Valley. His own family almost grown he began to research. He finds information on fallen soldiers in many small towns across his home region. He begins to gather information and starts to contact families all over North America thanking them for the sacrifice their loved one made for his freedom. His goal is to leave a lasting tribute to each one.


About four years ago my mother in law receives a call from the "new" husband of the former MrsS. MrsS is being contacted by a Frenchman about Capt MAS. Unfortunately ( or fortunately) MrsS is in the early stages of Alzhiemers and does not remember the painful events some 60 years before. Maybe she - his sister and only remaining survivor- would like to correspond with this mystery man from France? He was forwarding her contact information to him so she could correspond if she wished.

Correspondence continued for three years. A mutal respect and friendship developed as he expained his passion, reported his findings and worked on details. Would she come to France? Could she come to France - was her heatlh good enough at 82- 83 - 84 to withstand the travel? MIL has her knee replaced in anticipation of the trip coming together. A street will be named in honor of Captain S. The "program" as JE calls it is stalled - some problem with City Hall he is working to have things resolved. Finally a date is being thrown around .. what about the 65th anniversary if his death and the 65th Commemoration of DDay ? May 2009? Would she come? Would her family come? How many? It is all very exciting. JE is forthcoming about many things but between the language barrier and his desire to keep his "program" a surprise the family begins to plan their trip. Four Days in Vibraye France. Then travel to Normandy for the American Observance of Memorial Day Sunday May 24.

Four days in Vibraye - really? Where will we stay? What will we do? What is near by? Vibraye seems to be a dot that is not even on every map. When we ask around no one has heard of Vibraye. We run some internet searches and find that this is a really nice region of rural France. Very interesting medieval towns and not too far from the Loire. It all looks very promising. Not to worry about accomodations - taken care of. No, there wil be eight of us that is not necessary - oh but we insist.

Kid's school schedules are re - arranged - even high school finals- we are confident this will be a learning experience you would never recieve in a classroom. Passports ordered Check. Tickets purchased -Check

It is real. We are going - 8 direct descendants for Capt MAS. His sister MSM and her family - two daughters, two sons, two grandchildren and me DIL.

Day One ( actually Day 5) but Day one of this experience.- Pick up rental car and leave Paris 10h. Arrive Chartres to hear Malcolm Miller's talk at noon in the Cathedral.

Drive to Lemans to meet JE. Finally after all this time actually MSM meets JE on the sidewalk in LeMans! It is a wonderful moment for MSM and JE. We follow JE through old town LeMans and we are on the Auto Route to Vibraye. Arrive Vibraye 17h for reception at 18h. We arrive at the Relais de Chapeau Rouge in Vibraye Centre are shown where to park and given keys to four rooms. No one speaks English and our French is mediocre at best. We manage to get some medicine refrigerated in the hotel kitchen and our teeth brushed before we are escorted by a very excited JE and Mr Mayor JB to the Hotel de Ville for a welcome reception.

This is where the real excitement experience begins ...

More later

All the initials are confusing me but I do get the drift and it is a wonderful story and memory for your family

Wonderful...I can't wait...

Thank you! Thank you! I salute the memory of Captain MAS...American hero. Some story...please go on!

stu tower

Sorry about the initials - I will come up with something better - just trying to keep a little "privacy" for the main "characters"

This is my first trip report so I welcome any suggestions.

Oh, this is going to be just a great story -- please tell us more.. ...

Allow me to back up a minute ...
Remember details have been sketchy about the exact "program" but this is what we knew

1. Mayor's reception
2. Visit crash site
3. Visit grave
4. have lunch with a witness of the crash


Ok so here we are about to walk in to a reception.

The Reception is in the Hotel D'Ville hall.

We are greeted by 50- 75 people all smiles and curious about us. Tables full of food and wine and juice.

The whole room was a buzz in seconds with hellos and bonjours and warm welcomes. The ice is broken. Some one tells us that the people on one side of the room are the city or area council and on the other side is the WITNESSES ( PLURAL ) and their families! Surprise number one.

Yea we have an interpreter! Nora is an American who married a Frenchman. She is fluent in both languages and teaches English at the local school. What a life saver!!

With in 15 minutes we learn the crash was midi - noon - not night. Suprise two.

(Now as I think back Nana was only 19 when this tragedy to her family occured. Her father sent for her at College and had her return home. I am sure he spared her many details and the mind chooses to forget the most painful after 65 years)

We are introduced all around the Mayor gives a welcome speech and presents Nana with roses and gives each family represented a book on the Sarthe as well as a souvenir of Vibraye.

We are introduced to their local Kir and specialites of the area.

We especially like the Rillettes a local pork spread that is "sold around the world".

Our Host presents the mayor with a replica of Capt MSM's plane.

The room is decorated with American Flags, French flags and photos of Capt with his plane named after his wife.

Our Host presents us with a small finely woven vintage handkerchief with Libertation embroidered on it. Also embroidered are a little airplane a little village and a four leaf clover with each leaf representing a flag. US, British, French and French Republic. We are told he found them at a flea market!

Everyone is "chatting" happily with smiles and gestures and a few words of English thrown in. One of the Councilmen's daughter is there. She is about 5 and a complete doll - down to her shoes being on the wrong feet. She points and tells us exactly who she wants in her pictures. She loves us and we love her!

The crowd quietly breaks up at it is nearing dinner time. We have new friends all ready. They tell us a demain - we will see you tomorrow.

We have dinner with the Mayor and two officials, our Host and our interpreter at the Relais de Chapeau Rouge. The food and wine is outstanding. We had the traditional five course meal, entree - salad with carchuterie of duck and a very thinly sliced ham, plat - a white fish in a nice sauce with noodles colored black with (squid ink ) 12 yr old could have gone without that deatil, Cheeses, and either a small flourless chocolate cake or a "floating island" a very large meringue floating in a custard sauce. All as beautiful as they were good.

We excuse ourselves after a very long happy day to our rooms at Relais de la Chapeau Rouge. We are told to be at the Hotel D' Ville at 9:00 for the morning events.

We already feel at home and are wondering what the next day will bring


May 21 - 65th anniversary of the crash.

We have a traditional French Breakfast of croissants and breads, cafe, chocolat chaud ( had little bits of chocolate in it) and the.

We walk over to the town hall to find numerous people milling around ready to get started. Slow Americans! Nora is with us again! We pile in to cars to drive the 2km to the forest. The forest is privately owned and the owner has graciously improved a pathway and allowed for jeep access for Nana. American pennant flags mark the way. We walk 200 yards or so in to the forest and there is the crater left by the plane 65 years ago. We are stunned. French and American Flags are posted in a tree. It is very solemn as we think back on that day. The Mayor places a beautiful spray of flowers in the crater and my sister in law sings an impromptu prayer. Nora translates and we all have tears runnng down our face.

Our hosts quietly stands back allowing the moment to be just right. He and I have an bond over ok English on his part and poor French on my part. We understand each other well enough.

We leave the forest ( woods) to us and head toward the cemetery. Nana knew that the village doctor had gathered the remains and buried them in the local cemetery.

We get to the cemetery to find the grave is just inside the gate on the right. An empty grave site has flowers and American flags decorating it. The town has left the plot empty for 63 years in his honor. We are completely stunned. Who would ever have imagined that? The Mayor gives Nana flowers to lay on the grave.

A man comes foward and Nora tells us he is a witness but he has another story to tell. On the one year anniversary of the soldier's death ( he was unknown to them at this time - they actually thought he might have been Canadian) he was in a band that played in a military parade that honored the unknown soldier. The military marched and the band played in honor of the anniversary of his death. They were free by then VE Day was earlier in the month but took the time to pay hommage. Nana is so proud and greatful.

We think it is time for us to say goodbye for the day ( it is Ascension Day we think they will want to enjoy the holiday at home but no - Lunch awaits in D'Arvill.

We have a delicious 5 course lunch at Relais de la Commanderie Starting with with big white asparagus in a puff pastry and ending in Tart Tatin. Nap time? No!

D'Arvill is the home to the best preserved Nights of the Templar Commanderie. Nana's knees have given out so she rests in the car while we are treated to a tour. The story here is fascinating. Go if you are ever in the area.


Then we are off to Dollon another village. Here we meet an interesting individual. He has a small museum dedicated to musical instruments that "play themselves". Player pianos, a no man orchestra complete with a sax. An organ grinder box, an accordian that moves on its own. He is truly a mad professor type very funny and fun.

Now it is time to say good bye for the night.
Bonsoir et Bonne Nuit

Wonderful story, 4d.

Thanks for sharing your touching family history with us. And to think people say that the French don't like us!

Wow!

Bookmarking. This is a wonderful story.

Friday morning we meet back in the reception room of the town hall. We are seated panel style at tables facing each other.

New interpreters Mary and JC - husband and wife British who now live in the area.

Map showing crash site with dots representing position of each witness.

Witness one was 19 years old. Two days after the crash the Mayor sent him with a horse and cart to gather the remains. The mayor has written to the German command in the area requesting to do so and pemission is granted. He brings the remains back to town to the church where he is met by the town doctor and the man who will make the casket. People begin to place flowers at the cart.

Witness two was 23 years old he lived near the foot of the hill where the crash occured. He heard and saw but could not go to the scene. He was in hiding. He had been captured by the Germans and sent to work in a German factory. He escaped twice and went in to hiding with his young wife. He and wife got to Paris then walked the 150 km to Vibraye hiding in safe houses so she could be near home. He was told that the town would not give him up but if he ever heard a car he should go into the forest to hide.

We learned at that time the forest was a working forest. They made charcoal and glass in the forest so people were in and out the forest living and working. The town was not completely occupied but small camps of German troops were scattered in the area.

Witness three was also 23 - 24. He his brother and brother in law were riding their bikes toward the Abbaye d'Launay for lunch. They heard and saw the crash and explosion so rode as far as they could, put their bikes on their backs and walked the rest of the way. They were among the first on the scene. Fire was burning about 50 yards all around the wreckage and ammuntion was causing some small explosions as soon as they could they were at the plane along with German troops. "the Germans were happy" They gave a quick military salute to a fallen soldier then went on about their day. "not even a minute of silence" " but they did salute". Once they realized there was so survivor they had to leave so the Germans would not begin to question them. You see these three were part of an underground chain that helped get fallen pilots back to the coast and to England. Pilots were the most valuable asset. These guys would take the soldiers from point a to point b. At point b they would hang around the village and ask questions of different folks. When they felt comfortable with someone they would ask them to go for a bite to eat. If all went well he would offer to pay and pull out a bill that was cut in half if the other person produced the other half they knew it was safe to hand the soldier over. If the other half was not produced they would make excuses and pay anyway. The man still has his half bill!


They also worked to keep other escaped prisoners safe. At the end of the war they had 152 Allied troops hidden in the Forest of Vibraye right under the German's nose! The area people supplied his father a pig farmer / seller with pigs he would cook and take for food. The women would donate clothes from their husbands who were away in the war. "it was hard keeping those guys fed and they looked funny in some of the clothes" "sizes were a problem".

We have been able to ask quesions between each witness. We are all dumbfounded at these amazing stories. What brave young people. We are having a hard time wrapping our heads around these amazing accounts. These men who are well in their 80s are robust healthy people. Remembering the stories like it was yeaterday. They say they think about the events but don't talk about it much. This is the first time this group has talked about that time to each other.

More to follow

What a moving story; it must have been quite an experience for the family to be part of this tribute in France. How good that three generations were able to attend.

What a wonderful, moving, story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

The story gives me the shivers and makes tears come to my eyes. Thank you for sharing; it is a wonderful tale!

Thank you for sharing your immensely personal story with us. We should all remember to be thankful to those in uniform who fight for our freedoms.

Fascinating, moving tale.

OK now to more witnesses.

I have noticed our host is looking though all his notes as the witnesses speak and asks a few questions and makes notes.

The next witness was nine when the crash happened. He was not allowed to go anywhere near the area. On the morning the body was brought to town he was helping his mother in the garden. They heard the horse and cart and people coming down the street. They went out to see what was happening. He had flowers in his hands they had just picked. As the funeral cart went by a man grabbed the flowers and laid them on the body. They followed the cart to the church with the others but no one stayed long. They did not want the Germans to think they were too interested or involved.

The next witness is the only woman. She was also nine. She lived with her grandparents and she and her grandmother were making lunch. They heard and saw the crash. Their home was occupied by German Officers. She remembered how much her grandfather hated those Germans and how afraid the crash made her feel. She said "they made us eat what they ate. We had to eat what the Germans ate." I can't imagine what that would have been like for a child. She and her grandmother regularly slipped away and put flowers on the grave.

The Next Witness was 14. He lived in Dollon a few Km away. He did not see the crash but word travelled fast. He had a sister who was much older that was very disturbed by the idea that it might be an American pilot. She had been 3-4 in WWI and an American soldier had lived next to them. Her father was away at war and the soldier played with her and brought her treats. She and her husband took him to see the site a few days later. They rode their bikes. When they got to the scene the propeller was still there. They took pictures of themselves with the propeller. Those photos were some of the first photos Capt's family saw. He brought us all copies of the photos and the camera for us to see. The camera looked like a pre - brownie camera. Leather box with a strap. He showed the boys how it worked. To our amazement he gave the camera to Nana. We said we wouldn't possibly have it but he insisted. He said there was a machine gun still buried in the ground. It was too embedded for them to remove it. He laughed a little saying how dangerous it was that they even tried to get it. He said we would have looked funny trying to carry that big gun back on our bikes. He showed us a postcard that the GI from WWI sent his sister after he returned to the states. It was an American Flag. Our youngest realized on 48 stars.

The last witness was not a witness at all really. He was born the day of the crash. About one hour before. His grandmother owned or worked in the brasserie or cafe. She would "bring him out" and tell people that he was born the day the soldier fell from the sky. " Heaven sent one but took another." Because of that he has always had an interest in Capt and the crash site. When he was 12 or so he was able to go to the site alone and he bagan to collect bits and pieces of the plane and the ammunition scattered in the forest.
Around 1960 his uncle a junk collector came across the largest piece and got it for him. He had a collection of the parts pieces he has found. a windshied wiper, a piece of a joystick or "steering wheel"and miscellaneous ammunition. He gave a small piece to everyone. We wondered what to put on the customs form ! ha!

We were all so moved at the calm quiet nature of these fine individuals the respect and saddness still showed but it was peaceful. We thanked them for their own courage and bravery for living through such difficult times and helping other people, thinking of others when their own lives were in such tuemoil.


You may remember that Capt is still listed as MIA and the people of Vibraye still do not know who he is.


The family has had no definitive word. There are statements from the two pilots who were flying with them stating they ran in to heavy overcast skies at 10,000 ft when "each of us went on instruments because the overcast was too thick to fly formation on the leader. As the flight flewinto the overcast Capt executed a sharp left bank, that was the last time I had seen him"

From this the Army searched an area much further north and found no wreckage or reports.

So how do we find out?

Well you know how truth is stranger than fiction??

Hang on - you can't make this stuff up.

I know this is long and a I appreciate your indulgence.

I wish I could write more elequently

<i>I wish I could write more elequently</i>

no..no..we are all mesmerized to the "nth" degree. This is a story that begs to be told, and you're telling it beautifully. Keep going, please! Don't make us wait too long for the next installment....I've been reading each to my wife.


stu T.

That was a wondeful true story written with so much detail I was transported there immediately. Thank you so much.
When I read it I had just been watching the memorial service in Normandy with the Prince Charles, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, President Sarkozy, The Canadian Prime Minister and of course President Obama.
Their speeches were all magnificent. Especially Barrack Obama who spoke from the heart and not a single glance at pre-written notes - what a gift that man has.

As those boys were wading ashore, giving up their lives for mine, just about to begin in a few months time on a hot Kenyan day in November 1944. I feel deep gratitude to them and people like your family.

Thanks so much for sharing those wonderful moments.

If you wrote any more eloquently we'd all be tearing up. Oh wait...

Looking forward to the rest of the story. In these days of so much hatred among people, it is so reassuring to be reading this report. Even though I am in tears, thank you. And so much for the theory of the rude, uncaring French.

A question was asked today during the massive television coverage in France of the 65th D-Day anniversary. Everybody knows how grateful the people of Normandy are for the liberation of France (so are the rest of the French, but the Normans more than most). However, most of this part of Normandy was completely leveled by the allied bombings, the shelling from the ships, and the German counterattacks, and thousands of civilians were killed while many more lost the only home that had ever known.

So one of the journalists asked someone if there is any resentment about that in the region. The reply was mixed -- the Normans will always be grateful, but they will always wonder if more care could have been taken to spare civilians during this operation, and would it have affected the outcome? We will never know.

Ok,

Capt is still listed as MIA. No word to his wife and infant daughter Susan or his family.

In January 1946 - almost two years after the crash- Capt's father recieves a letter from a soldier who has just returned from his tour of duty.<<< "in Sept 1945 I was acosted in the streets of LeMans by a very aged French woman who pressed a West Point ring class of 43 in my hand. Your son's name was engraved inside. My limited knowledge of French was insufficient to get a coherent story so I called a gendarme to help interpret. From him I gathered the following- "An American plane was shot down in the Forest of Vibraye near LeMans by German batteries in May 1944. This aged woman lived in a hut nearby and witnessed it. How the ring came in to her possession it is not clear, but I gathered it was from someone in the plane. She explained to the gendarme that now the war was over,she couls no longer keep the ring and wished to return it to an American soldier.

Upon my return to the States I immediately communicated with West Point and received your address.>>>

in another letter to the family it is confirmed that this is the first word on Capt Smith in two years.

Upon returning the ring he writes <<< If as your letter implies, mine was the first word .... except for the bare announcemnent that he was missing in action I am glad to be of a little service in .... your quest for particulars. >>>

He goes on to say that in a different time and under different circumstances but he did nnot question the woman further did not get her name. << I might have done things but in Europe the most improbably and fantastic stories are more often than not so grimly real that they are nothing unusual and seldom questioned. I don't like to say this but in all fairness I should - The most outstanding impression I received from the woman and the interpreter is that nobody could have possibly survived in the plane, which was blown from the skies and demolished. >>>

he recalls the story again with bullet point type details explaining that there would really be no way to re trace his steps. This incident occured in October 1945.

So a mystery woman hands an American Soldier a ring in the streets of LeMans and to his credit the soldier contacts West Point and the family with news of their late son, husband and father.

From this information father contacts American Red Cross and investigations are re- opened.

The military returns to Vibraye discovers that indeed a plane went down there and yes they had recovered the unknown remains and buried him in the local cemetery.

Signed statements are given from the doctor the casket maker and the others who were present at the burial. The authorities discover the doctor had buried with the remains a piece of a sweater marked Smith. Other items that were returned to the authorities were his flying helmet marked with his initials and the cockpit cover. A time after the crash a man found a human digit at the scene he preserved it in a bottle in alcohol and it was returned for finger print identification. The body was dis-enterred and removed to the cemetery in BLosville, France still listed as unknown.

By May 1947 the investigation was complete. The remains were those of Capt and the marker at Blosville was changed to have his name rank and sevice unit.

In Sept 1947 his widow gave permission for his remains to be moved to the Cemetery at Normday Colleville sur mer. By now their young daughter Susan was also deceased. She had died in her sleep at age 2 1/2.

In May 1949 she was notified that his interrment was complete and he is permanently laid to rest in Plot C, Row 10 Grave 46..

The first of the family to visit the grave is his neice in the late 1970's she is studying in France and takes the trip to Normandy to see the the grave.

In 2007 his great nephew and I travelled to the grave with a school group. FLowers were already on the grave that day as our host had been there the day or so before and laid flowers in his honor.


OK that gets us back to the final day - street naming ceremony in Vibraye

Thank you so much for sharing this. It's really heartwarming to think of how many people played a part, over the years, in recognizing your mother-in-law's brother and filling in some of the blanks for your family.

I mentioned earlier that the eight remaining family members have attended these events. Well I need to add a little to that.

Last year at a family reunion for her late husband's family Nana told the tale and how we all hoped to be in France for this in 2009.

Well her nephew and others chimed in that - we needed another reunion next year in France! We must go with you to help you homor your brother! I will rent a chateau! A sister in law and eleven nieces and nephews arrived in Vibraye on May 21 from 4 countries by rental car, train and even by bicycle!

A friend from London arrives late Friday as a suprise for Nana.

The nephew rented Chateau de la Barre about 8 km south of Vibraye where we (20 )stayed for three nights. The home and hosts there are amzazing. I highly recommend if you are in the area.

Ok So it is Saturday the day of the naming. There is a mass at 10 ( we are not Catholic so it was more of a liturgy of rememberance). We arrive to find military re - inactment groups, a full color/ honor guard, the Chorale and Band of Vibraye. We are introduced to various members of different branches of the military both French and American and to some regional senators who have come from Lemans and Paris.

We (21) enter the church behind the color guard and find that the church is almost full of townspeople!

After the sevice we are led behind the color guard down the center aisle and over to a side aisle. At the back of the church there is a large wall monument to the fallen sons of Vibraye. At the bottom there is an American Flag draped over a corner. The man "in charge" calls our youngest son to remove the flag for Nana as she steps forward the flag is removed and we see a plaque with Captain Smith's name added to the memorial wall. We are all overcome. Flowers are laid and we process out of the church and down to the corner to the War Memorial in the square. After all the people are in place our oldest son unveils another plaque -- his name has been added to that monument as well. Flowers are laid. We are all so touched to be considered Vibraysiennes!

THe procession leaves from there about 6-8 blocks to Rue -- Smith. About 200 townspeople and dignitairies are walking in a light drizzle. Nana has been taken by car. She cannot walk that far. As the procession arrives DH ( his namesake )escorts her to the Mayor and the ribbon is cut. The street is open. The band plays. People cheer.

As everyone gets settled for the official speeches it starts to rain and by the time the presentation speech begins it is pouring. No one leaves. No one moves. The color guard does not flinch. The re inactors do not move a muscle. The band does not shift a foot.

As the speech ends so does the rain. The children are called forward and release 26 balloons with a card attached. The card has a photo and brief tribute in French and English. The balloons quickly go aloft and someone remarked " they are headed for the crash site".

We walk back to town never wanting to leave our new family.

A wine reception is held for the townspeople in the community center. We meet more gracious friendly people. More speeches are given the band plays the chorale sings.

We are then led to a beautiful luncheon that began with salmon and pork? mousse and ended with a tart fraise.

A group of local dancers danced traditional dances.

Hung over the stage was a huge cut out that had been made of the plane complete with M__A__ painted by the propeller. His plane was named in honor of his wife.

Our host has really out done himself to this point. We never in a million years thought we would have been treated so finely, so graciously so well for four days. What an effort he , the mayor, his general council and the townspeople put forth for us.

All I could think of on Saturday is how proud his parents and wife would have been to know what good care was taken so long ago and what a tribute had been made over the past days.


I have one more event to relate. Our trip to The American Cemetery at Normandy for the American Memorial Day service.



Thank you for bearing with me

Thank you for sharing this intensely personal and touching story with us. I am reminded again of how much we owe to those men and women who gave their lives for us so we could enjoy the luxury of freedom.

This story is amazing. Thank you for sharing it. It makes me proud to be of European Heritage but an American too.

Many thanks for this amazing, touching story. We in the US have no idea of the ravages of war on our soil, and to read this account of sacrifice, bravery, memories and gratitude is very moving. Well done, and timely, with President Obama having been at the D Day ceremonies.

Thanks for this great account.

This is such a beautiful story. The plane crash affected so many people in the town and they never forgot.

Knowing that an American pilot was willing to give up his life to free these people from the German occupation must have given them hope and even 65 years later the town is willing to honor your family in such a memorable way. I'm so glad your Nana was able to be with you- this story will be told in your family for generations to come.

Tell us about Normandy when you have time. Your writing is very good.

Evelyn

Thank you for posting such a wonderful heartfelt story which highlights the impact of this war in such a personal tale.

Am waiting now to hear about your day at Normandy.

This is a lovely story. Thanks for sharing.

An amazing and timely story. What a blessing for your family to have this experience and what a special person your "host" must be.

Yes our host is an awesome indvidual. This is his personal passion. He was invited by the US Embassy to the DDAY ceremony with Sarkosy and Obama. He was very excited. I am waiting on a report. He became a really special friend.

We very sadly leave Vibraye at 6:30am on Sunday morning. Our host at the Chateau was kind enough to get up and make us some coffee before we left and our hostess had packed a few goodies for the boys the night before.

We meet Mr. Mayor and six other people a mix of witness and council members at 6:45 to be in Normandy for a 10:30 ceremony. We met our host on the motor way outside of Lemans . The American Memorial Day ceremony was on the 24th the day before the US holiday.

We arrived to the most beautiful day. THe sky and the English Channel were the same beautiful blue. A crowd was gathering - most were carrying flowers. Our host registered us and led us to a reserved seating section. We were seated about 1/3 of the way back from the "stage". The memorial statue area served as the stage. Both National anthems were played by military bands. A missing man flyover was awesome. All four planes flew the length of the cemetery then the Missing Man went straight up and away as the others headed out to sea. Breathtaking. We heard speeches in both English and French about the sacrifices for freedom. Four US Congressmen/ Senators were there. Senator Burr from NC spoke. A medic who came ashore at DDay gave his account.<<< "When I got hit by the second bullet well that hurt". I told my corporal he would have to carry on for me then a bullet when right through his head and he was gone. After the third bullet hit me I woke up next to my brother in a hospital in England. ">>>
He was 19 years old. He had already been all over the European Theater and Africa. He said they knew this would be different. Chilling
A 21 gun salute and laying of wreaths ended the ceremony.

Our host got Nana a wheelchair and an employee of the cemetery to escort us to the grave. She had a small bucket of sand from the beach with her. SHe explained that with Nana's permission she would rub the sand into the inscription so we could really get the full effect of the name. It was fascinating to watch the name appear so clearly.

This was really the hardest part for Nana. I don't think she ever thought she would make it to pay personal tribute. She overcame several serious health problems some as recently as a few weeks before we left. She wanted to be there for him but also beacause her mother and daddy could never bear to make the trip. She felt like she was there for them. Our family along with the town of Vibraye laid wreaths. We were asked by an orphan of the war if he could lay a wreath there as well.

Our host had really made the impossible possible. I don't imagine she would have ever made the trip without the patient
persistence he used to get us there. The fact that all 8 of us went is a miracle in itself. DH and BIL do not leave the business with out one of them in town so for both to go .. Well the "impossible" possible.

I need to tell you the last bit. Our host has to leave us after the ceremony. He has another memorial to attend. He leads us and the van of the Vibraye folks back to Bayeaux. We stop in a parking lot to tell him goodbye and it is so hard to do so. Maybe the parking lot was the best place because we had to let him go and there was no one else to see us all in tears!

The bit of Breakfast anyone had was long gone. We are with our French friends now and communication will be difficult. Nana is completely worn out so their car of four says their goodbyes and are off to Paris for our Flight out on Monday.

Our family and the Vibraye folks are left to decide about lunch. There is a McDonald's on the corner. You guessed it in we go. A McDonalds after all the wonderful food they have fed us we end in McDonald's!! DH is so tired he forgets to pick up their bill. UGH. As we quietly eat and exchange a few words here and there I begin to realize that this is the first time Mr.Mayor and the gentleman that was a witness have never eaten at McDo before! I was so embarassed. Hopefully that impression will not linger !! We said our tearful goodbyes promised to write and stay in touch. I think we will . I hope and pray we do.


I really appreciate all of you who took the time to read this l o n g account of our adventure.

I really must thank our host Monsieur Jacky Emery and the Mayor And General Councillor Of the Sarthe Monsieur Jacky Breton. Without these two fine men this story would not be possible. The people of Vibraye who welcomed us so graciously. The witnesses who gave up so much time to be with us. These people will remain in our hearts forever.

God Bless America!
Viva La France!

MEM _ Alabama