remembering the sacrifice

by Sharon Santoni

there is a lot happening in Normandy today

we are remembering the same day 70 years ago,

when bravery attained new heights,

when sacrifice knew no limits

when countries came together, from all sides of the world, in the name of freedom

I cannot imagine the pain of saying goodbye to a son,

wondering if you’ll ever see him again,

I have never known vast destruction, massive loss of life, times of depravation

For this today, I am truly grateful, and respectful of one generation’s

sacrifice in the hope that generations to come would not need to do the same.

 

 

 

32 comments

Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon June 6, 2014 - 8:44 am

I have been watching the news and they interviewed a soldier in charge of a Higgins Boat. He said when the soldiers were dying they did not call out to God, but to their Mama. I cried like a baby.

Madonna

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Esther George June 6, 2014 - 8:56 am

Hi Sharon we have been watching the services at Bayeux Cathedral it was quite emotional (The Last Post) it gets me every time. I could not imagine as you say, saying goodbye to your loved ones and never to see them again, For their bravery and sacrifice I am forever grateful. Thank you for sharing. Regards Esther from Sydney. PS we live in an amazing world.

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Marian from UK June 6, 2014 - 9:28 am

Hi Sharon. Yes, we too are watching and remembering those brave young men who fought and fell on the beaches of Normandy so that our generation could live a free and peaceful life. I can’t imagine the pain of losing a son or husband in such a way, so we must also remember those brave and steadfast women left behind who carried on and kept the nation going against the odds. It’s so important for us to remember and for our children and grandchildren too, but I wonder how long the memories will remain as the distance becomes greater.

I’ve just read the poem by Laurence Binyon ‘For the Fallen’. We all know the verse: ‘They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old’ etc. Well I didn’t know that that verse was written first and dictated the rythmn of the whole poem. It’s in the middle of the poem which is a beautiful tribute to all those brave boys. Worth a read today. You can find it at https://allpoetry.com/poem/8528573-For-The-Fallen-by-Robert-Laurence-Binyon – Enjoy this wonderful today and all our beautiful tomorrows.

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Elizabeth (Eiffel Tells) June 6, 2014 - 10:40 am

A short but powerfully moving post – it is difficult to put into words the emotions that this evokes.

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Sally June 6, 2014 - 10:50 am

Dear Sharon
Your words are very touching……and indeed it is a poignant day, lest we should forget those whose bravery and honour knew no bounds to protect us and keep us safe and free.
Every elder member of my family was touched by war, at first hand. My grandfathers both fought and came back, thanks be to God. Many families were not so fortunate, and they are also in my thoughts today
I feel it is very important that the younger generations also know, and remember the sacrifices that were made.
May they rest in peace

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Susan June 6, 2014 - 11:18 am

Dear Sharon,
We are just waking up in Chicago and read your post and want to thank you for being so eloquent in remembering the ultimate sacrifice made 70 years ago today. This is going to be a teary but proud day. My father and Uncle served but never discussed the war. My maternal grandfather served in France and Italy in WW1 and it was all he talked about before he died at the age of 85. Because of all who served my sons have not been called to make the ultimate sacrifice. I am profoundly grateful for our wonderful lives. Thank you again for your post.

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Jacki June 6, 2014 - 12:12 pm

Well said.

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Lyn June 6, 2014 - 12:15 pm

I wish I could write as well as you do and your images are always so beautiful. Thank you. Lyn

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ann hodgkins June 6, 2014 - 1:05 pm

A beautiful tribute Sharon.
May they never be forgotten.
I have been to the beachheads and the American cemetery.
The cemetery is moving beyond words.
I placed a small bouquet on an unknown soldiers grave.
Rest in Peace all you brave young men.

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Laura Wilson June 6, 2014 - 1:57 pm

I, too, have been to the beaches and left changed and somber. We happened to go on a rainy and cold day–not unlike what they may have experienced because they arrived today on a day between two storms. Many of the graves were of unknown young soldiers, their graves marked “Know only to God.” That was quite emotional.

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vicki archer June 6, 2014 - 2:41 pm

A beautiful tribute…
That cemetery is one of the most moving places I have ever visited… your photos truly do it justice… xv

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Carla Glaze June 6, 2014 - 3:54 pm

Dear Sharon,
Well spoken.. having been to Normandy a few years ago and toured the beaches and cemetery, all I could do was weep as I walked through the rows of white crosses and think about all the lives lost and all the families changed. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for those that made the sacrifice. To the young men and their families whose brave soldiers never returned home, we are forever grateful.

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Peggy Braswell June 6, 2014 - 5:04 pm

love this post + my uncle + dad served in this war + they never spoke of the it + I prayed for them + all the men/women who took part in this war. God bless them. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com

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Diana Ferguson June 6, 2014 - 5:12 pm

Well said, Sharon, as ever. You have struck just the right note today. Thank you. Diana

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Emm June 6, 2014 - 5:28 pm

Like so many others, I had father and uncles who fought that war. Even a grandfather on the civilian front. And they never talked about it. I wish now I’d realized how important it was to ask the questions, get more answers; it might have helped them, too.

And there were women at the Normandy landings — army nurses, taking care of the injured on the beaches. Important to remember them, too.

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Bill Lipscomb June 6, 2014 - 6:01 pm

What a wonderful message and have emailed it to all persons in our company with many very warm replies and stories. Than you so much.

Bill Lipscomb

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Colleen Taylor June 6, 2014 - 6:49 pm

Extremely touching & moving Sharon. I know individuals that were there, now gone. Thank you for this today. X

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Becky Stephens June 6, 2014 - 7:01 pm

Very moving, Sharon.

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Rita June 6, 2014 - 10:54 pm

Couldn’t have said it any better Sharon…thank you for words so true heroes so deserving & worthy of being remembered. Thank you for sharing:)

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Karen (Back Road Journal) June 6, 2014 - 11:41 pm

The cemeteries in Normandy put a lump in your throat when you look out at all the markers and know that so many young men gave up their lives for freedom. What I recall from my visits to the cemeteries seeing all the French families who brought their young children here…let none of us ever forget their sacrifices for freedom.

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Traci S June 7, 2014 - 1:49 am

Amen. As the mother of a cherished son, I can’t even imagine the agony of having to make that sacrifice. God willing, I never will.

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Delaine June 7, 2014 - 2:16 am

This brings back beautiful memories of my trip to this special part of the world. Being there evoked so many emotions and a strong sense of patriotism and gratitude. Thank you for sharing one my favorite places.

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Delaine June 7, 2014 - 3:05 am

Just wanted to share that there is an elderly man in our tiny Mississippi village that I have the great honor and privilege of knowing….he was in the First Wave on D-Day. He was actually the very first American soldier to land on the beaches that day due to his reputation of being an expert marksman who could lead the way into battle. The stories he has told over the years have been beyond fascinating…there were some stories about that day that took him years and years to bring himself to tell…they were just too painful…He is truly an amazing WWII hero who I will always be thankful for!

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Rondell June 7, 2014 - 3:06 am

So true! My dad served in WWII in the Navy, he never spoke a one word about the war, I guess then they didn’t back then. I know that those that were there that day saved my three son’s life before they wore ever born because they didn’t have to serve. I know I watched a movie of it and had to get up and walk away. I just couldn’t watch it!
Thank you for a wonderful post!

Rondell

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Debbie June 7, 2014 - 4:05 am

Extremely touching and moving. Been watching on the news. Difficult to hold back the tears listening to the 90 plus year olds talking about their experiences. Such dignified men, keeping in all the emotions that many of them have held in all those years, even making light of their bravery. Each year in my town in Australia at the Anzaz commemoration which is commemorating those who lost their lives WW1 in Turkey and in France, a story “What Anzac Day means to me” is read out by one of the local school children. This year the story talked of “Old men sending young men to war.” I thought of this as I watched world leaders and Vladimir Putin (and his cold stare) at these WW2 D. Day commemorations.
Its so very important future generations know about the worlds turbulant past and realise how futile it is. Maybe someone somewhere will some day prevent any future wars.

Thank you for such a respectful post.

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Denise at Forest Manor June 7, 2014 - 4:05 am

Beautifully said, Sharon. I, too, am so grateful to these amazing young men who gave their all for their country and their fellow man.

Denise

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Sharon June 7, 2014 - 5:59 am

The BBC have been covering the event all day, both live coverage and with readings from the news coverage of the day. I cannot hear the ‘Last Post’ without tears. They also gave coverage to the amount of French civilians who died in the war, both at the time of the landings and as casualties of the allied bombings. This 70th anniversary and the centenary of the start of WWI should make us grateful for the life we in Europe are free to live.

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Doré @Burlap Luxe June 7, 2014 - 5:39 pm

Thought provoking post!
Powerfully heavy hearted here.

I also have went back into some older postings, and I have to say I am always taken with the beauty you create.
Love your new header with the light of light shinning through the windows, soulfully yours.

A beautiful June to you!

Xx
Bisous

Doré

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Desire Empire June 7, 2014 - 11:22 pm

Here Here. I can’t wait to see it for myself this September.
Carolyn

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Lynne Gaylor June 8, 2014 - 4:07 am

Thank you for your wonderful post. I cannot imagine or fathom what it must have been like for those poor mothers and sons during this time. Sending your child off to war, and knowing that they may never come back. There have been some excellent shows on television, and listening to the men who were there tell their stories is so heart wrenching. How brave they were. I just feel that a lot of today’s generation of young people don’t have a clue what was done for our freedom, and the sacrifices that were made. We need more reminders and shows and stories, so that we may never forget.

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yvonne June 8, 2014 - 10:35 am

Dear Sharron,
They have not been forgotten. It is a shock to see so many graves
takes your breath away. The News on TV is all about France.
Thanks for the beautiful post. yvonne

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yvonne June 8, 2014 - 10:37 am

Dear Sharon,
They have not been forgotten. It is a shock to see so many graves
takes your breath away. The News on TV is all about France.
Thanks for the beautiful post. yvonne

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