Northwest Europe's landscape includes permanent, iconic reminders of two world wars: German bunkers along the Flemish coast, ordinance debris lodged high in trees across the Ardennes, restored trenches in the Argonne.
Nearly all of my Belgian friend's parents lived in/near brutal combat and/or under strict German control for eight-nine years. Northern France, same thing.
Along the ancient French two-land road, south of Brussels between Mons and Paris, you can't drive more than a few clicks without passing a veteran's cemetery. And while many of these sites are maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission...
...no American cemeteries are, contrary to wide-spread blog rumors, "rented" from the French state. Instead, they are rent/tax free with excellent local signage and access roads.
As it should be.
HaverDad/Paris
Posts: 661 | Location: Paris, France | Registered: September 20, 2005
(HaverDad - My brother has lived in France for over 20 years. He is fascinated by the almost bipolar condition of the 20th century. For almost 50 years Europe continued the time honored tradition of trying to kill each other. It is just in the last 50 they are trying something new - Peace.)
Posts: 664 | Location: north carolina | Registered: January 08, 2007
HaverDad -- Thank you for thinking to place this post. We should ALL remember ALL of the men and women who have served, and continue to serve, to secure our freedom.
To all in this forum who have served, and continue to serve: Thank you for your service.
Posts: 238 | Location: Northern Virginia | Registered: April 27, 2008
