This picture is of my daughter Jill Maynard (her parents are from Norris Point(Dad) and Cornack(Mom) Nfld. This letter was written by her classmate Chelsea West and picture was taken by her school friend when the were in the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-Sur-Mer,Normandy, France. She wanted to pay her respect to the solders from NFLD/Canada who died and were buried there.
"When we arrived at the Canadian Cemetery at Beny-Sur-Mer in Normandy, France, it was a very solemn and surreal moment. Perhaps it was the hazy and low-hung clouds that threatened to open up and rain on us, or the idea we
were about to walk amongst grave sites of Canadian soldiers, some of whom were not much older than us when they died.
Before we left the bus, we were given an assignment to find out the ages of the youngest and oldest soldiers who were buried in the cemetery. I believe I am correct in stating the two soldiers were of the ages of 17 and 42.
Personally, it was that fact alone that seemed to affect me the hardest. That a fellow Canadian was killed in battle, yet he was only a few months older than I am right now. I know there were a number of my peers who also felt this knowledge to be incredibly forthright and impressionable. I doubt if any of us could ever fathom having to go to war, or even living through a such a worldly contention at that.
Everyone was given poppies and Canadian flag pins to put amongst the grave sites, if they so desired to do so. If we had sufficient numbers, as well as enough time, I'm sure everyone would have made sure no site was left without a poppy. It was difficult leaving knowing that some soldiers memorials were left without any physical sign of recognition, despite the feelings of thankfulness that had conjured up inside of us.
Walking amongst the gravesites was a difficult task. Many of the locations engraved on the headstones were so close to home, or at least those of our relatives. They had families and loved ones, homes, futures as well as memories from their pasts. They could've had so much, and they knew of the risk of losing it all when entering the war, yet they did anyways for the freedom of their country. Unfortunately for the soldiers at the Beny-Sur-Mer memorial site, they ultimately did lose it all for such a cause.
It was hard to not think about putting yourself in such a situation as these soldiers had to endure, and as I previously mentioned, it's absolutely incomprehensible.
A few of the traveller's showed their respect in a different manner, by placing poppies all along the base of a large memorial statue that's at the front of the cemetery. It was a beautiful addition to the wreaths from previous visitors and organizations; some Canadian, some not. Though it didn't seem to matter, they were there to pay their respects regardless.
Even in the guest book, though there were many Canadian signatures, there were just as many from people of various other countries and continents. It seemed as though it didn't matter where one was from, they could still appreciate the sacrifice these men gave regardless of their nationality.
Overall, it was a truly moving experience that I am grateful for having. I think all of us who visited to cemetery would agree with that."   Submitted By: NULL