Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Part 1
Sainte-Mere-Eglise was the first French town liberated from Nazi occupation. Being there on June 6 -- the 71st anniversary of the D-Day invasion -- was a remarkable experience. The air was one of festival and celebration, yet also of humble tribute to all the soldiers who fought and died there. Even today the townspeople remain grateful to their American liberators, and raise the American flag before their own national flag. The crowd was a mix of veterans, citizens, tourists, military reenactors and groups such as ours. TBDBITL Alumni joined a welcoming reception and performed a concert (covered in this gallery). Later they performed in a parade; a small brass group performed in the church; and finally our group joined a dinner banquet in the Airborne Museum (covered in the next gallery). Here are links to additional information on…
The town: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-M%C3%A8re-%C3%89glise
Paratrooper John Steele and the stained-glass windows in the church: http://www.army.mil/article/22006/church-tower-windows-pay-tribute-to-paratroopers-who-jumped-into-first-town-liberated-during-world-war-ii/
“The Longest Day” film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056197/
"The Longest Day" recording (courtesy Central Ohio Brass Band): https://app.box.com/s/isgk7khrkzgfawspi2rlurfdvug060te
Henri-Jean Renaud and his family: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/arts/artsspecial/french-town-is-a-living-d-day-memorial.html?_r=0.
Read MoreThe town: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-M%C3%A8re-%C3%89glise
Paratrooper John Steele and the stained-glass windows in the church: http://www.army.mil/article/22006/church-tower-windows-pay-tribute-to-paratroopers-who-jumped-into-first-town-liberated-during-world-war-ii/
“The Longest Day” film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056197/
"The Longest Day" recording (courtesy Central Ohio Brass Band): https://app.box.com/s/isgk7khrkzgfawspi2rlurfdvug060te
Henri-Jean Renaud and his family: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/arts/artsspecial/french-town-is-a-living-d-day-memorial.html?_r=0.
