The Municipality of Ferney-Voltaire and those who died for France - 1914-1918 :
Ferney-Voltaire, FR
On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour in 1918, the guns of war fell silent along the western front of Europe. World War I was over. Called the Great War, it was hoped that this would be "the war to end all wars." Sadly, it was not. Little more than 20 years later, Europe, and eventually the rest of the world, would again find itself at war. Today is the 92nd anniversary of the end of World War I. Nearly all of Europe's and America's veterans of this war are long deceased, but their memories and their service are not forgotten.
Aux heros de la grande guerre - 1914-1918 : Ferney-Voltaire, FR
Today's photos feature the War Memorial in front of the mairie (town hall) in Ferney-Voltaire. This simple monument honors the men from Ferney who have died in wars in France dating back to the 1800s. World War I was an especially harsh war that claimed the lives of more than 20 Fernasians. To see a few more photos of Ferney's monument to its fallen heroes, go here.
The grandsons of Eldon Bangerter carry him to his final resting place :
Kaysville, UT, USA : 2006
On a more personal note, every year on this date, I would call my grandfather--Eldon Bangerter, whose ancestors emigrated from Switzerland to the United States in the 1850s and who served in the U.S. Army, 16th Armored Division, Quartermaster Corps, European Theatre from 1944 - 1946--and thank him for his service to our nation. My grandfather passed away in 2006, but I am still grateful for the sacrifice he made and the continued sacrifices millions of men and women in uniform make to keep our nation and our allies secure. I only wish their sacrifice wasn't necessary and that 11/11/1918 really had been the war to end all wars.
Screen shot honoring my grandfather's service in World War II
at the National World War II Memorial : Washington, D.C., USA
A peaceful Veterans' Day and Remembrance Day to you all.
Photo copyright: Janet M Kincaid, 5/2005
3 comments:
All teary now. A lovely tribute Janet!
What a special post today. Thanks for sharing your grandfather's story with us.
xx
V
Maya: Thanks, Maya.
VJ: You're welcome. Grandpa was a character. I miss him.
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