I’m away for a couple weeks visiting battle sites in France and paying respects to soldiers who fought for freedom. Above is Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in northern France, which contains the graves of 6,012 American soldiers who died while fighting in this vicinity — a hundred years ago this year — during World War I. I’ll have more to come when I get back. Next up we visit the beaches at Normandy. Thanks for stopping by, I’ll check in with you soon.
I have been thinking about you and your journey. How many times have I read about that cemetery in books? Kind of chilling to think of you being there.
Thanks Judy, many of these sites summon quite the emotions. I’m learning quite a bit though. The other day we stood where Hitler did when he made the French sign their surrender Armistice in 1940 right where they had the Armistice of 1918. Now that felt chilling, and spooky.
I bet seeing that cemetery was awe inspiring. Have a great trip. Safe travels!
Thanks Kathy, the sites we’ve seen have given me quite the perspective on both world wars. It’s been eye-opening.
Visiting meaningful or historic places is a thing that I also like to do when traveling. I hope that you have happy and safe travels.
Thanks Brian, it’s been quite the trip. Have you ever been over to these parts? There’s so much to see and think about. The magnitude of both of these wars is staggering and the brink at which the Allies were pushed is unsettling. I’m learning quite a bit.
Have a nice trip, Susan! Bring lots of pics for us to see. 🙂
What a staggering amount of fallen soldiers! It must be sobering to stand there.
Thanks Carmen for your words. There’s so much here to see and it is all quite staggering to think about. We have gone from the fighting of WWI and Armistice of 1918 straight into the battles of WWII and now the invasion of France with D-Day and thereafter. It’s been illuminating for sure. Trying to get some good pics.
I imagine the trip to these sights will be very moving. Safe travels.
Thanks Ti, yes it is quite moving. The losses were astounding, and the ages of those who died were so young. Many seemed mowed down by machine gun fire and others by chemical warfare, ohhh it really was savage, and awful and sad. It feels like with WWI the Allies held the line in northern France just at the last moment, otherwise what would have happened? Paris would have fallen and more casualties and maybe the world would look different.
Have a great trip! 🙂
Thanks Naomi, it’s a bucket list kind of experience for sure — and I’m sharing it with my parents and my husband too — so nice.
Travel safely–I’m looking forward to hearing about your trip and seeing your photos.
Thanks Jane, it’s been great. We are still on the go. I know you will have a great time as well in France in July. So much to see!
I hope you’re having a lovely vacation and look forward to hearing about it, and the matched books you read, when you return.
Thanks Sarah, we’ve had lovely travels and are now headed back. It’s been a great experience!
Great pics and thoughts, Susan.
Thanks JW. I had no idea that about all these battle sites are so well maintained & preserved. Northern France is quite rural, filled with crops, and the sites are much less endangered it seems than U.S. Civil War sites. Hmm.