French Caretakers of Our Dead

[rickjump1 0]

I read an article in a USAA magazine describing how a son of a pilot killed over France uncovered the events of his father's death with the help of the French.The people who witnessed the crash, tried to save him, but ended up burying him and honoring his grave. The cabinet maker who built his casket, spearheaded an effort to dedicate a plaque in his honor that brought the dead pilot's son and his family to Saint Michel 59 years later. During the ceremony the family was stunned to hear "The Star-Spangled Banner".

This pilot was trying to stop an enemy truck convoy from reaching the beachhead when he crashed. He is now among 4,410 graves kept and honored by the French who believe he is their hero.

With all the barrages of French resentment, this story reminded me that everyday people can cast politics aside and be friends if only for a moment. I also wonder how many other American families correspond with French friends keeping our dead.

Do your part for global warming: ban beans and hold all popcorn farts.

[dbattman 0]

I visited a WWI cemetary near Metz last July. Not a blade of grass was out of place and I didn't see one iota of disrespect to the American soldiers buried there. I flipped through the registry and saw quite a few French visitors had signed in. Unfortunately, international politics is like everything else- we only hear from the extremes.