A few thoughts after I visited Dads Grave in the Hermanville War Cemetery in Normandy

Michael:

If it was not for men like your father, the accomplisments of the allies would have never happened.

Your father died for you, he died for me, and he died for future generations to come.

May he forever rest in peace knowing that he helped people like you and I live a life of freedom.

God Bless.

 

On at least two occasions 67 Self propelled artillery and ourselves saw action together.
Sapper

 

Michael

Well said.

No man can do better than pay honour to his parents, as the Old Testament so neatly puts it:

Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Best regards

Ron

 

Thank you for sharing this. It's just beautiful.

 

What a great thread and posts.

I was at Hermanville in 2005, for some of our tour had comrades that are buried there. The Tour also held a small service too, with Ian on the bagpipes. Safe to say, I bawled my eyes eight during the playing. It was very emotional and with it raining too made a moving experience. Here are some pics of Ian, myself and veterans.

 

Summer days of June.


Do ghostly battles rage across
The misty fields of France
And if we listen closely now?
hear the sounds of their advance.


Do the ghosts of the infantry,
in open battle order march?
Was that a man’s last despairing
scream, across the river marsh?


All at once a hot steel splinter,
Quick sudden spurts of blood
Flesh flayed down to ivory bone
Soaks the blood bespattered mud


In that quiet moment of early dawn
Was that the sound of war, now far away
Are wounded here? Waiting to be saved
But that was long ago, on a summer’s day


And yet in this quiet lonely moment
When all natures voice came still
Across the ripe swaying corn fields
The battlefields, where we came to kill.


And yet, I still hear the guns of Normandy
But that was long ago, in the distant past
The loss of friends, when we were young
Their memory forever lasts
Brian. Third British Infantry

 

Hi Michael - thanks for sharing this - lovely. My Dad survived the war (WW2) though he died in 1999 and I've just spent a long time editing his memoirs. Reading them over and over again was quite soothing but also traumatic at times . It made me think of all the questions I would like to ask him about his war if he were alive today. Trouble is in 1978 when he first wrote them, I read them and even got them on the web. But more recently I've studied them and there is a big difference in their impact - even looking at his photos I notice new things. I found it very therapeutic and the experience was topped off today because I went into Norwich city centre to cheer home the 1st Batt Anglia Regt following a tour in Afganistan. They were all young lads and the whole experience was very moving for me - it was almost like I was seeing my own Dad coming back home after the war - though I wasn't born until 1954. It was hard to hold back the tears at times. Five of them had been killed and a number wounded. A big crowd had turned out to cheer them on and it was altogether a moving, heart-warming experience. I hope to go to Bayeux some day and visit the graves of Dad's fallen comrades to pay my respects. Thanks again, Paul

 

Thank you for sharing that Michael.

We are all forever indebted for your father's sacrifice. And yours.


Thank you.

 

Thank you Michael - simply magic.

There are many posts on here which are wonderful, but I think yours is so simply heartfelt even the most stone hearted individual could not help but be touched by the way you carry your Dad in your heart and will do forever.

Regards,
Cliff

 

Michael
Thank for giving me the chance to read such heartfelt feelings of pride and love.
You carry him like fire within yourself but are not afraid to let it surface with your emotions and will do till your own demise.

 

Hi Michael - thanks for sharing this - lovely. My Dad survived the war (WW2) though he died in 1999 and I've just spent a long time editing his memoirs. Reading them over and over again was quite soothing but also traumatic at times . It made me think of all the questions I would like to ask him about his war if he were alive today. Trouble is in 1978 when he first wrote them, I read them and even got them on the web. But more recently I've studied them and there is a big difference in their impact - even looking at his photos I notice new things. I found it very therapeutic and the experience was topped off today because I went into Norwich city centre to cheer home the 1st Batt Anglia Regt following a tour in Afganistan. They were all young lads and the whole experience was very moving for me - it was almost like I was seeing my own Dad coming back home after the war - though I wasn't born until 1954. It was hard to hold back the tears at times. Five of them had been killed and a number wounded. A big crowd had turned out to cheer them on and it was altogether a moving, heart-warming experience. I hope to go to Bayeux some day and visit the graves of Dad's fallen comrades to pay my respects. Thanks again, Paul

Hi Paul,
Welcome to the forum. Can you share your dad's memoirs here - they would find a very appreciative and respectful audience and the possibility of filling in any gaps you might have in his story.
Kind regards,
Tom..

 

Dear Michael,
What a lovely tribute to your father, although you must feel sad, you must also feel so proud. God Bless your father
Sandra

 

A touching piece about a heartfelt moment.thank you for sharing .
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And what, exactly, do discount handbags have to do with this forum?!?!?!?

 

Very moving stuff MF....especially the bit about your Mum getting ready to join him. I'm a (supposedly) roughy toughy Matelot but reading that has really made me well up!

 

thanks for sharing your thoughts,i too visited dunkirk cemetery a few days ago,just standing there brought a lump to my throat and with closed eyes for a few moments tried to imagine the scenes of war through my grandfathers eyes

 

To Michael Fitz

Thank you for sharing your personal thoughts. More importantly though ...

Thank you - to your DAD!

Ive just showed this thread to my wife. she was listening to B of B theme tune at the time - she filled up like the rest of us.

I think all of us here share your pain, regret and pride.

my thoughts go with you and your family.

best wishes.