By Carole J. Bumpus
The few remaining WWII veterans of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne) are sleeping in their own beds tonight, their whirlwind anniversary tours du France a dim but savored memory. None were able to return this year for the 75th anniversary, but they can rest assured that they were celebrated all the same—whether in body or spirit—at the anniversary of the Southern Landing on the French Beaches (or Second D-Day) each August 15th.
As this Veteran’s Day approaches, I’m wondering what these elderly men will dare to dream? Will these Octogenarians and Nonagenarians dream of the few brief days they were celebrated as heroes in the south of France? Certainly, the friends and family members, who didn’t accompany them on these tours, will never understand. The U.S. nation rarely grasps their valiant participation—in yet another D-Day. Will time separate them from the richness of French gratitude extended during their illustrious eleven-day tours? If our veterans could hold on to only a few of the words delivered by French dignitaries and the hundreds (literally thousands) of men, women and children who came forth to honor them, lo these seventy-five years, then maybe their dreams each night have been sweeter.
Every year, on August 15th, the anniversary of the infamous Southern Landing on French beaches (or the Second D-Day) begins on three beaches of the Côte d’Azur—Pampelonne near St. Tropez, at La Croix Valmer and Cavalaire-sur-Mer. In years past, our men, despite being crippled by old age, stood tall and participated in all commemorative events. They laid wreaths on the memorials of their fallen comrades, participated in parades, and were honored and celebrated with receptions, speeches, dinners, and fireworks displays. Thousands were in attendance to cheer them on.
The following days of their ten-day trip found our veterans continuing north—along their original liberation tour—stopping at each of the villages (twenty-five in all) along the Rhone River, through the French Alps, the Vosges Mountains, into the infamous Colmar Pocket and ending in Strasbourg. The journey ended each year in a regal reception given for them in a former palace in Strasbourg, or at Chateau Thierry outside of Paris. Throughout the trip, the pomp of full military accord with color guards, military bands, veterans of the 1st French Army, the French Air Force and members of the French parliament along with wizened Partisans and former F.F.I. members met these ‘reluctant heroes’ to make certain they received their just due. Through parades, festivals, commemorative ceremonies, including receiving the French Medal of Honor, plus during receptions, luncheons, speeches from mayors, vice mayors, Counselor Generals, even the President of France, the messages could be heard. But, one of the clearest messages came from the hundreds of villagers who lent their cheers and their tears to the soldiers who had freed them.
The veterans themselves stood tall and accepted their praise, but still after all these years, their quiet response was: “We were just doing our duty.” Especially while standing before the sea of white crosses stretched across the fields of the American Cemeteries, such as Draguignon, Épinal and the American Lorraine cemeteries, their voices remained silent; their tears gave way to their heart-felt grief and sadness. Comrades lost; dreams unrealized.
But, it was probably the letters written for the veterans and read by the children of Saulx de Vesoul and Bennwihr, which touched the men most deeply: “We will never forget,” they read as their small, but clear voices reached forth, rising above the church bells which began to ring. “We will never forget how you brought liberty to our beautiful country.” “We will never forget that you saved us from the grip of tyranny and freed us.” “Because of your sacrifice, peace is now our second religion.” “Thank you for the sacrifice of your lives.” Throughout the readings, the church bells continued to chime, ringing the bells of Freedom and Thanksgiving.
Yes, that was always the echoing refrain: “We will continue the memory of your deeds of liberation with our children and our children’s children,” the French told our men. “We will remind them of the sacrifices you made for us,” the mayors of each city invoked. “We will tell them how you, not much older than children yourselves, came to a foreign land to liberate us. No, we will never forget!”
Sleep well, our ‘reluctant heroes’, for you have made our world safer and there are those who will never forget your sacrifice. Yes, the second D-Day for the U.S. may not be well known, but in France you, as veterans, and your deeds will never be forgotten.
Happy Veterans Day to our own beloved veterans
Happy Veterans Day to the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (Rock of the Marne)
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