Hi All
Please correct me if I'm wrong Reg, but I would add some of these little churches were used as First Aid Stations during WWll. Help from the town people made it possible for many of our soldiers to receive medical attention. Today in many of the little villages along the Normandy Coast you'll see monuments bought and maintained by the villagers themselves to honor the American Soldiers. Some of these villages only have a population of 53 people! As the Elders pass on, the next generation takes over the maintenance and upkeep of these monuments and churches.
When we were there in Feb, we visited the Angoville Au Plain Church and listened to the story of how 2 Engineer Medic's established an Aid Station at the Angoville Church. For 3 days fighting continued around them while they treated wounded soldiers. 65 years later you can still see the blood ingrained in the pews and bullet marks about the church. Most of these churches still hold services today and the villagers receive no help from state, gov't or grants, they use their own money out of their own pockets. Not once did we see a monument in need of repair.
When told my dad was an American Soldier and participated in the Normandy Landings they smiled big with thank you's - even the grandkids with a shy thank you. It was a very moving experience to waik in the same steps as my dad, only my experience was a much more pleasant walk then his.
Thanks to Vee, by her suggestion we spent 2 days with the Battle Bus. I think because it was off season and there were only 4 of us onboard we saw much more then they normally show. We were treated like VIP's! We also spent time in the St-Mere-Eglise Church. It's much smaller then it seemed in the movie "The Longest Day" To see the windows through a picture is beautiful, but to see the windows in a church setting while you're standing there watching the outdoor light bring movement, and they come alive is breath taking.
I'm normally a behind the scenes person but because I was there and experienced first hand the work of a master Mark Patterson, I believe this is a most worthwhile project. And yes, because of the graditude and rerevence these people still pay our dads, sons, brothers, uncles, grandads and friends after all these years makes a pretty big impression.
I've never had the honor to meet Mark Patterson nor Reg, but thank you for such dedication.
Nancy