WITH GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE

One of the ports of call for our Mediterranean Cruise (July 2008) was Carthage, Tunisia. After the regular stops at Bardo National Museum and Sidi Bou Said, our tour guide Sammi (a very well educated and well mannered young man) arranged an un-scheduled visit to the World War II North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial. I have always felt a sense of gratitude and respect when visiting National Cemetery, it was even more special during our vacation because it reminded us to pause and remember the men and women who gave their life and fought with honor and commitment so we could enjoy freedom and liberty. Engraved on the wall in the above photo were these words "Here we and all who shall hereafter live in freedom will be reminded that to these men and their comrades we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their sacrifice and with the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live".

On the wall at the Cemetery are the names of 3,724 American Missings who gave their lives in the military services ranging from North Africa to the Persian Gulf during World War II. Photo above showed headstones of final resting places of 2,841 American soldiers.

A FEW GOOD PHOTOS

I decided not to go out on Saturday. The book sale at the library and getting new pillows were not high on my to-do list when it is freezing outside. My husband cleaned the snow off my car and offered to get it warmed up. (Before anyone wishes to give CP "Husband of the Year" award, don't! CP only made the offer out of guilt since his precious T-bird, his work benches and all the tools Craftman ever made, took up the entire garage. There was no room for my car and it has to be out in the driveway.) I spent the day re-organized all the 100+ CDs, into separate categories of photos taken from our trips on Route 66, visits to New York, Vacations/Cruises, around St. Louis, Sports/Hockey/Football, and Mics.

It was a glorious trip and we had so much fun that I love looking at photos we took during the Mediterranean Cruise and 3 days in Rome, in 2008 for our 19th wedding anniversary celebration. We did throw the coins backward over our shoulders into the Fontana di Trevi to ensure that we would visit Rome again. I would love to be in Rome at least a whole month, just to walk around, spending a whole afternoon at a piazza, staring at the Colosseum for hours and soaking in the wonders of this accient city.

From our private balcony, we were able to take great photos, such as the above image when the ship approached the port of Valletta in Malta.

Below - A sign in Tunisia showing the words "A bientot" with the carrot top over the letter "O", similar to one of diacritical marks in the Vietnamese language.

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE - SACRIFICE, HONOR AND GRATITUDE

Inscription on a memorial plaque at the American Cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, "These Endured All And Gave All That Justice Among Nations Might Prevail and That Mankind Might Enjoy Freedom and Inherit Peace."
Thanks to Sammi, our tour guide in Carthage, Tunisia, after the regular stops at Bardo National Museum and Sidi Bou Said, Sammi arranged an un-scheduled visit to the World War II North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial. I have always felt a sense of gratitude and respect when visiting National Cemetery, it was even more special during our vacation because it reminded us to pause and remember the men and women who gave their life and fought with honor and commitment so we could enjoy freedom and liberty.
On this wall are engraved the names of 3,724 American Missings who gave their lives in the military services ranging from North Africa to the Persian Gulf during World War II. Photos below showed headstones of final resting places of 2,841 American soldiers.
July 2008 Carthage,Tunisia, North Africa