Poppy Day

For my 60th Birthday, Mrs Joesblips gave me the tickets to accompany members of the Arklow Camera Club on a trip to Normandy. When I returned I made up a photo book of the trip and it is that book which forms the backdrop to my poppy for todays blip.

On the left, some of the grave markers at the U.S. Cmnetery at Colleville-sur Mere. There are 9387 such markers, including 307 to fallen men whose remains could never be identified. In addaition there are inscribed in the memorial a further 1557 names of men whose remains were never located.

On the right is the interior of the churci in Sainte-Mer-Eglise. It was on the spire of this very church that John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment dangled for two hours when his 'chute became entangled with the spire as he descended. He feigned dead until the dust settled at which point he was taken prisoner by the Germans, only to escape from them a few days later.

Think, and Never Forget!