Memorial Day and American Cemetery in Normandy

 

We remember and honor the men and women who have died while in the service of our country on Memorial Day. We began this as a nation since after the civil war. At one time we referred to this day as “Decoration Day” but in 1971 it became an official holiday and was renamed.

Who do you know someone that gave their life for our freedom? Perhaps you have a parent, brother or sister, grandfather or grandmother or great grandfather. You may even have an ancestor you know by name who gave their life. Their names are important for you remember. The war or conflict they gave their life in was not insignificant. Remember, they gave their all.

The importance of their sacrifices became all the more real to me this past March (2015) when I visited the American Cemetery in Normandy (France). The cemetery contains the remains of 9,387 Americans, most of whom died in the invasion or operations following it. The cemetery with its rows of white markers, the memorial to the Unknowns, the reflecting pool, the American Flag, and the nearness of the cemetery to the Normandy Beaches impressed on me the on-going sacrifices Americans have made and continue to make to preserve what we often take for granted.

The men in the Cemetery in Normandy are a fraction of the total number of men who have died for our freedom. There have been many wars. They include (though they are not limited to) the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, Mexican American War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, War in Afghanistan and Iraq War. None should be forgotten. Who do you remember?

If you are like me, several of your ancestors fought in those wars. Thankfully, most returned home alive. But there were others who gave all and were killed and did not return home. Those buried in the cemetery I visited in France did not return home. Some died and their bodies were never found and there is no marker on their grave. But remembrance is not confined to a marker or cemetery. Normandy reminds me that even though some lie in distant places, or in some unknown place, we can still remember them. Maybe, you can’t name anyone. Perhaps you are a more recent immigrant. You still can remember those who sacrificed for what you now enjoy. You have the gift of being an American.

Honor them by remembering them. Visit a National Cemetery, Memorial, Tomb for the Unknown or even Battlefield. If one isn’t nearby, meditate on a photo of one of them.

This year I am remembering two men who were my ancestors. I have photos of a grave site and a battlefield memorial to help me remember.

For me, the two the men who fully gave their lives are:

·         Andrew Edmondson (Virginia Ranger, King’s Mountain Battle Field)

·         John M. Butler (Union Army, 11 TN Calvary, Interred at Annapolis National Cemetery)

 

 

I am including photos of the burial grounds where my ancestors, Andrew Edmondson and John Butler’s remains are found along with images of the American Cemetery in Normandy. With respect to Andrew Edmondson, his grave site is unknown, as many of the bodies of those who died at King’s Mountain were placed in unmarked shallow graves. The site today is the King’s Mountain National Military Park located in South Carolina. John Butler grave is in Annapolis, Maryland at the National Cemetery. At the American Cemetery in Normandy, there is a wall listing those who have unknown graves.

 One last thing I learned at the American Cemetery and Memorial at Normandy. There was a beautiful round chapel there with this quote: “Think not only upon their passing. Remember the glory of their spirit.”

 

Scripture

Genesis 23.19 – Abraham buried Sarah n the cave east of Mamre (Hebron).

Genesis 25.9 – Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham in the cave east of Mamre.

Genesis 50.25-26 – Joseph was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt with an assurance he would be taken to the promise land someday.

Exodus 13.19 – Moses takes the bones of Joseph to the promise land.

Deuteronomy 34.6 – He buried Moses in the valley in the land of Moab, but no one knows the place of his burial.

2 Kings 2.1 – Elijah is taken to heaven by a whirlwind.

Mark 15.46 – Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus’ body down, wrapped him in a shroud and placed him in a tomb cut out of rock.

Luke 24.50-51 – Jesus, in the vicinity of Bethany was taken up into heaven.

John 11.38 – Lazarus was laid in a cave with a stone at the entrance.