World France Bretagne Brest

France: Reunited 2008 Reunited 2008

Scrignac to Brest, France May 16, 2008

Scrignac to Brest, France The day we were waiting for had arrived as we drove about an hour to Brest, having picked up Marie-Claude along the way. Jacques had explained to us the night before that there was a legal problem related to burying the ashes of someone at the grave of another person, a French law, and that we would not be able to complete our mission of depositing Ruth's ashes at Bob's grave. So, when Jacques suggested we buy a red rose bush and plant it instead, we stopped at a flower shop to make that purchase along with white roses to lay at his family tomb located in the same cemetery. With a little time to spare, we went for coffee then we realized that we had not brought a trowel to plant the rose bush so we borrowed a large serving spoon from the Tabac shop from the owner who knew Marie-Claude. It would have to do. We made our way to the cemetery and were stunned to see about 15-20 people there, mostly elderly, all quietly speaking amongst themselves and obviously waiting for us. Indeed, there were the adults that were then children on the beach in 1941, eager to tell us their stories as they recounted that long ago day. Standing behind the grave was a solemn gentleman, holding a French flag of a military unit over the tombstone as an honor guard. Several representatives of a military organization and the assistant to the town mayor were there, along with a newspaper reporter, who had written an article about our arrival, and several other dignitaries. Jacques spoke at length about why we had come and how much the people attending the ceremony meant to us. It is almost impossible to describe the emotion we felt as the people urgently told their stories and gave us written remembrances of the war time in Brest. Overcome with feelings and with lumps in our throats, we could not express our words adequately, but Jacques was able to translate for us and for his family whose lives entertwined with ours over the last 6 decades. A photographer took still photos and movies of the event and then a young man came up to us and explained that he was a member of the local Aero Club. He presented a fuselage piece of another WW II era bomber, whose location was known and was nearby the town, along with several aerial photos of Brest, taken during a bombing raid. He explained that wartime history was his passion so he came to the grave to meet us and present his gifts. Several representatives of the Mayor’s office were also at the cemetery and invited us to a ceremony at the town hall following the gravesite visit. At this point, we were almost overwhelmed but proceeded to the mayor’s office where a reception was arranged in the large room with a spectacular vista that spread across the city looking toward a fine view of the busy harbor. As a presentation memento, the Mayor's representative awarded a few historical books and showed us some breathtaking photos of the town after it has been totally flattened over several years of Allied bombings. It took our breath away to realize that the city spread before us had been resurrected by the townspeople during the rebuilding years after the Allies landed on Normandy Beach and traveled westward, knocking the Germans back and liberating this city after a 30 day battle. Following the ceremony, we were famished and spent a pleasant lunch at the harbor with Jacques and Marie-Claude, then drove back to the cemetery where we were left alone to spend a last few minutes at the grave while our friends parted from us and visited their Mother's grave. Scott then dug into the soft dirt in front of Bob's headstone, placed the red rose bush into the hole, covering the area with dirt and finished what he came to do, to honor the lives of two people that were divided by war. After a few moments of quiet, we left, having accomplished our mission.

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