Nice photo from Jean Paul Pitou

Final blog (almost) and the Future of the Sainteny Stele.

Corrinne Delacout of "La Presse De La Manche" noted that Mayor Michel Lepourry and organizer Jean Paul Pitou wish to continue the ceremony honoring the 83rd Division and the accomplishments of all the Allied Troops (French, British, American, and Canadian) that liberated Sainteny and Normandy. This is wonderful news as it means that our children will have the opportunity to observe what my father, my son and I experienced and what families and veterans for 65 years have experienced, a day long remembrance and celebration of the return to the village of liberty and freedom. In addition to the ceremonies and playing of anthems, let us not forget that the community of Sainteny can throw a party, too.

This blog will chronicle June 7, 2009 in photos as completely as possible.

First ceremony : Re-Dedication of the Stele of Sainteny, anthems, moment of silence, gifts from the children, photo ops, Reeanactors, speeches.

Walk to Flag Room.

Gift of Flag of the District of Colombia to the Flag Room of Sainteny.

Walk to the School Hall for Champagne toast.

Walk to Community Hall for Lunch, Wine and Calvados.

Goodbye's and warm farewells.

Mayor Michel Lepourry and Jean Paul Pitou.

The Mairee's office was closed when we first stopped by on June 4, but a workmen in a van said to knock on the door, the Mayor will be there even though it was not opening hour yet. And sure enough the the Mayor came out and the first of many warm welcomes started. He was very enthusiastic about the upcoming ceremonies and there was no sign that 25 years as mayor had made him less so. From that point onward the Mayor included us in everything while still fulfilling his role with the community. On June 7 we went directly to his office again and knocked, and this time the same workmen in the same van told us he was at the stele (memorial) and so there we went and there he was. Many echoes of small town America, where strong communities and beloved Mayors define the quality of life, we were glad for the reminder....

Jean Paul Pitou was equally tireless and demonstrated again that he can organize events. It seems that he even arranged for perfect weather, and there was not one point of criticism. Everything was perfect! I wish I had more pictures of Jean Paul but he was usually attending to something. I will wait for a future post to pay tribute to Jean Paul, so here is the Mayor in action....

Thank you note in La Presse De La Manche

Corinne Delacoute put my "thank you" note (translated by Annie Gubser) in the newspaper along with nice photo and article. I will have to print a copy and send it to Robert Keck as he does not have internet access.

Views around Normandy from a Gite

As soon as we arrived in Grandcamp Maisy we felt at home. We had stopped in Le Cambe at a wonderful shop run by a charming lady and picked up the essentials of life: bread, butter, pate, soft cheeese, Camembert, some peaches and twelve bottles of Kronenbourg. When we got to the Gite the sun was strong even though the hour was late and everyone had a beer and almost everyone slept.

Thanks again to Marc Chaperon at Les Pieris in Grandcamp Maisy for his unlimited hospitality and advice. He was a trip saver before we left and continued to be throughout. Robert Keck, the Pennsylvania farmer and former 83rd Infantryman, enjoyed trading notes on Marc's collection of chickens, turkeys and sheep. This was a big part of the experience.

Every morning we left the cottage early and came in late and Marc had made the beds and made sure that everything was ready for us when we came "home", and after a couple of days it really felt like home. We all got accustomed to fresh air, open roads, green fields and a daily nap or two.

That pretty beach is the beach at Colleville-Sur-Mer, known now to us as Omaha Beach. Dad arrived in Normandy very close to that spot on June 24, 1944.