Do you know why?

In preparation for Memorial Day, May 26th, I’d like to share with you an event that happened in September 2013.

In France.

An event that was not overly (if at all) publicized in the US, though it should have been.

Thankfully, we have friends here and abroad who believe we need to see.

To visualize…just what it is we are memorializing.

Excellent History Lesson  

A large percentage of our country doesn’t know of (or therefore, care) about Normandy during WWII.

Has it been removed from the History Books?  Do they still teach about D-Day?

British artist Jamie Wardley, Andy Moss, and nearly 600 volunteers, took to the beaches of Normandy with rakes and stencils in hand to etch 9,000 silhouettes representing fallen people into the sand.

Titled:   The Fallen 9000 [http://thefallen9000.info/]

The piece is meant as a stark visual reminder of those who died during the D-Day beach landings at Arromanches on June 6th, 1944 during WWII. The original team consisted of 60 volunteers, but as word spread nearly 500 additional local residents arrived to help with the temporary installation that lasted only a few hours before being washed away by the tide.

9,000 Fallen Soldiers Etched into the Sand on Normandy Beach to Commemorate Peace Day on September 25, 2013

ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage

A visually stunning reminder of why.

Don’t you agree?

Save a moment during the upcoming ‘Holiday’ to say a word of thanks to all who have, do, and will…serve their countries with one thought in mind…

Our Freedom

God Bless and Godspeed

R

Published by

Rhonda

Hi everyone! Welcome to 50 Shades of Gray Hair. 50 Shades is my blog of life over the hill, where each day is full of delicious opportunities to earn another gray hair. I stopped declaring war on the gray when I began this blog years ago. Instead, I embrace and celebrate them along with whatever life decides to throw my way, with (sarcasm forward) humor and an optimistic eye to the future. I think. I hope? I don't know. At any rate...it's real, it's honest, it's full of 4 letter words, and it's me...on a platter. I sincerely welcome you all to my porch....♥♥Rhonda

9 thoughts on “Do you know why?”

    1. When I first saw the photos, I thought they were bird tracks on the sand…I was chilled and utterly humbled when I saw they were silhouettes of the fallen. And if anyone needs a reminder…this is just one, of so, so many…but it’s exactly as you say…powerful! xo

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  2. Rhonda this is absolutely incredible. What a way to remember. I find it so moving. How can we ever forget those who fell at those landings. Thank you for sharing this. I found it so touching.

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    1. You’re welcome Don…it was an absolute for me, to share something so powerful. When I realized exactly what I was looking at, I was incredibly humbled. I would have loved to have been part of this amazing and stunning project. Barring that, the least I could do is share it.

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  3. That is profoundly embarrassing – we live in France and haven’t seen or heard anything about that beautiful tribute – until now. Thank you so much Rhonda. What we have heard is that the French government has backed out of their offer to fund the trips of the remaining US vets involved for the 70th anniversary of that fateful day. So many things wrong with that. Happy Holiday!

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    1. I hadn’t heard that the French had backed out. I’m frankly stunned, knowing how strongly they felt about preserving the memories of those that landing at Normandy. I’m saddened to hear that news. All I know is, if the boot were on the other foot…we would make sure the French vets would be taken care of. If I had the money, even if it was all I had, I’d donate it to help those vets get there. Thanks for the holiday wishes my furry friends…you are in my thoughts as well. xo

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