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Friday, June 13, 2008
The names "Thomas and Dorothy" were carved in the bark of one trunk. Another said "Bob and Carma." Other trees were marked with soldiers' home states — Iowa, Maine or Alabama — and several bore hearts and the names or initials of a wife or girlfriend.
The beech trees of Saint Pierre de Varengeville-Duclair forest in France bore a poignant testimony to the D-Day landings for more than six decades. Thousands of American soldiers stationed there after the liberation of Normandy spent their spare hours with a knife or bayonet creating a lasting reminder of their presence.
Although the trees grew and the graffiti swelled and twisted, this most peculiar memory of one of the 20th century's defining moments remained visible — until now. Amid bureaucratic indifference and a dispute between officials and the forest owner, most of the trees have been felled, chopped up and turned into paper.
Click here to read more on this story from The Times of London.
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Comments
/sarcasm off
We are Americans, we are better than getting a little bent out of shape over a few tree's being taken down.
There are signs up in some of these small french towns in Normandy that still say "Welcome Americans!" They remember and appreciate their history far more than the ignorant Americans posting on this news report.
The only people who do disrespect to the American role in WWII are those who perpetuate the stereotypes that Americans and American soldiers are under-appreciated for what they did in France.
I am an American whose grandfather also fought in world war II.
At the same time, cutting into trees is vandalism, regardless of the circumstances. There are plenty of more appropriate memorials testifying to our soldiers' sacrifice at Normandy. It's a small, sad moment that they are gone, but not a tragedy and definitely not worth anger.
http://www.historicaltravelguide.com/normandy-beach.html
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