The American Cemetery in Normandy
Visiting the American Cemetery in Normandy was a moving experience. A few ladies we traveled with cried as soon as we entered the premises. I could totally relate. Literally thousands of young American boys, many of whom were just teenagers, died here fighting the enemies of the Allied powers during the Second World War. I had heard of this cemetery prior to visiting it and I was glad to see it in person. My own father, also in his late teens back then, fought in the Second World War in the Philippines as part of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East.
The cemetery has an area of 172.5 acres and it is one of fourteen permanent American World War II cemeteries constructed outside the USA. There is another one in Manila, Philippines.
As far as layout is concerned, the cemetery is rectangular in shape. Its main paths are laid out in the form of a cross.
One of the buildings to be found here is a semi-circular memorial with a garden and Tablets of the Missing to its rear. It houses battle maps at each end and a large bronze sculpture in the center. The 22 foot bronze statue is called "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves"
A closer view of the semi-circular colonnade made of limestone from the Cote d'Or region of France. This is the 22-foot bronze statue named, the Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.
This is one of the several maps on the interior walls of the loggias engraved in stone and embellished with colored enamels
There is a chapel in the cemetery made of Vaurion limestone. Upon entering the chapel, one's eyes are drawn to the black and gold altar built with Pyrenees Grand Antique marble.
This is the chapel.
The black and gold altar with the inscription: I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE AND THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, engraved across its front. Behind the altar is a tall window with a translucent amber coating. Through this window a soft yellow light shines through.
The mosaic ceiling of the chapel
The colorful mosaic represents America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air to fight for freedom, and a grateful France bestowing a laurel wreath upon the American soldiers who gave their lives to liberate Europe's oppressed peoples.
The chapel is located right in the middle of the graves of the fallen American soldiers.
Me in the American Cemetery with the chapel in the background
Marc in the American Cemetery with the chapel in the background
This is a map showing the war in the Pacific
To be honest, I can no loner recall where this map is located. My best guess, is that it hung on one of the walls inside the chapel.
Omaha Beach, which is a stone's throw away from the American Cemetery
A cross marking the grave of an American soldier
More crosses for the fallen American soldiers
One last look at the American Cemetery as we departed