[Tokugawa]

While searching thru some sites for info on my father in laws wartime service, I came across a request for info on two men who died in France in the war. This Lady, Veronique, is taking care of the graves of 10 of our fallen heros, two of whom she can find no info on. I wanted to share with you all this remarkable Lady.

my email to her .

Veronique,
Thank you for attending to the graves of my countrymen. I sit here in tears
because of your compassion. Respectfully, Ed.

Her response-
l
Dear Edward,
Thank you very much for your e-mail.
I am so proud to take care to the graves of my ten godsons.
It represents a lot to me,thier pay a homage to them,
Because we should never forget sacrifice of all those young men to make us free. I learn to my children how to respect people, the memory of the sacrifice of all those young soldiers who died to make them live in peace. You will find the picture of my sons cyril, 16 years old, marc,11 years old, arnaud 8 years old who are standing behind four of my ten godsons.

With all my affection, Veronique.

[hksw]

The old folks in France, I have incredible respect for. They know the value of freedom and what has to be paid at times. The younger folks who haven't had the opportunity to have their necks under leather boots and can't figure out the big deal is about freedom, I could care less for.

[Beetle Bailey]

I took French in college and my professor was an American who had been speaking French since she was four years old and also studied in France. She told us that while many French people didn't care for Americans, she found that wasn't the case in Normandy. She said the French in Normandy were very welcoming and appreciative towards Americans and that she was impressed by their kindness.

[FRIENDLY]

If you want to see how the French consider foreign soldiers vist the Menin Gate.

[Car Knocker]

Isn't the Menin Gate in Belgium, not France?

[mnrivrat]

Thanks for sharing - With children as young as 8 years old I would not consider her an "old" person.

It's nice to hear that some recognize the value and cost of freedom. Next time you correspond (if you do) give her a thumbs up from me !

[1911 guy]

Spent a little time in Marseilles and Paris during a liberty port visit. July fourth and July fourteenth are good days to be an American serviceman in France. Find a bar or resturaunt with some old codgers in it, your money is no good. They remember.

[HerrWolfe]

Times may have changed....or they might not have. In any event, perhaps my prior comment needed to be fixed in consideration of brotherhood and all that.

[dodge]

It's pretty much the same in Germany. When I was stationed over there in '74-'76 if you was in the cities they didn't have much use for a GI but you get out into the country with the older people they treated you like a king. They also remember the bad times.

[db_tanker]

Dodge has it right...I went into a little bar in a place called Bad Kissingen. 4 old fella's sitting there hitting a pils and saw me walk in. One looked up at me and asked "Soldaten?" I said yes. "Panzer?" and I grinned and said yes.

I proceeded to get mighty sauced...them older fella's drank that young fella under the table and onto the floor proper.

Two of them had the pleasure of serving with Rommel while in Africa. They survived due to being captuered after Tobruk by the Brits. The other two served in a Panzer Grenadier unit. They got captured in the fighting around the Ruhr. Some of the stories these fellas told me choked me up bad...some of the stuff they had to go through...I never once thought of them as an "enemy".

MTCW
D

[Missashot]

Very nice post. :) It is good to see that not everyone has forgotten what American soldiers have done. Next time you correspond with that good lady please give her a big "Thank you" from me. :)

[ZEN.45]

Isn't the Menin Gate in Belgium, not France?

It is in Belgium, in the city of Ypres. It's a memorial for the soldiers in WW1. Every evening volunteer buglers play 'The last post' to honour the memory of those who where killed in WW1.

I can only speak for Belgium, but I think that there is a revival of intrest (and respect) for the veterans who fought in WW2. The intrest for the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the battle of the bulge are only one example of this.
Another sign is the increasing number of collectors of WW2 militaria and guns (and higher prices).

greetings

[hso]

I still think they suck in Europe just like they suck in Canada!

Attitudes change with time and experience, much like those you're so critical of.

[Henry Bowman]

Thanks for the post!

The younger folks who haven't had the opportunity to have their necks under leather boots and can't figure out the big deal is about freedomSame problem here. "Younger folks" include all the way up through Baby Boomers.

Thought the price of freedom is as high as ever, it seems that its [perceived] value is at an all time low.

[roscoe]

I still think they suck in Europe just like they suck in Canada!
Oh lord.

[Tokugawa]

Herrwolf, you paint with a large brush. I assume it is not your intention to insult a woman who is placing flowers on the graves of our fathers and brothers? And teaching her children the sacrifices the Americans made to free them?

[Biker]

I never got on the French-bashing bandwagon. I still appreciate the Statue of Liberty and, as I recall, we likely wouldn't be flying Ol' Glory now if it weren't for the help of some Frenchmen a couple of centuries ago. If the world keeps going as it is, we'll likely be battle-buddies again.

Biker

[DontBurnMyFlag]

the flemish, Belgians, have their respect of our soldiers passed down through generations. I heard somewhere that if they see an American in need, most will help him/her.

[1911Tuner]

I grew up in a neighborhood that was home to a French couple who had fled their country just as the Nazis were bearing down on Paris. They lost family
and friends during the occupation. I've seen them snap to attention whenever the American flag flies in public...seen them cover their hearts momentarily whenever they see it displayed at a school or VFW post...and I've seen tears stream down their faces whenever the national anthem was played at a school function. (Their American-born children were my age, and I went to school with them.)

France is chock full of very good people who remember, and very good young people who have been told of our sacrifice...and are deeply appreciative.
Fance's (present) government, unfortunately, is full of people who don't care
and don't want the next generation to care. I believe that truth will eventually win out over propaganda, and the overall attitude of the French toward America will shift in our favor. It may take awhile though...

[M2Pilot]

Well said Biker.

[Tokugawa]

Ditto on that , Biker. I have often wondered how many of the French bashers remember Lafayette?

[hso]

Herrwolf, you paint with a large brush. I assume it is not your intention to insult a woman who is placing flowers on the graves of our fathers and brothers? And teaching her children the sacrifices the Americans made to free them?

Let's hope Herrwolf's statement is borne more of ignorance than stupidity. I've worked with many Europeans and their admiration for the US and what was done during WWII to liberate Europe and afterwards to help rebuild has been near universal. Given a few years and some actual experience with Europeans perhaps he'll learn.

[theCZ]

I've never been much for French bashing, mostly because my family is from Alsace Loraine. Well, they used to be until the 1600s when they came over to the US 'cause aparently the French didn't like Heugonauts (sp?)! I stayed a night in Bayeux in May, fifteen miles from Omaha beach, and the farthest point reached by the allies on D-Day. The people at that town were incredibly nice! A lady even gave us a ride to the train station when it was clear we wouldn't make it otherwise. She never asked if we needed it, and we didn't ask her, she just pulled us out to her little car and pushed us in and speeded to the station. Paris was different, but what can you expect in the world's biggest tourist attraction?