Remembrance of Wars Past

I grew up on many sides of the Flemish-Lux-French-German border.  If there was a NATO base near by, I was probably living somewhere within 70 miles of it.  Father never wanted to actually live anywhere near a NATO base!

I mentioned the other day my memories of leaving France, it still stings in many ways.  Too many friends died at the hands of the French, my own life almost taken several times - save only for "luck of the draw", and the humiliation of being taken at gun point out of our home and sent back to Germany.  Bad taste still left in my mouth ....

However, that is not to say I still do not have friends whom live in France.  From the "old" days, one of them ran across me about 12 years ago online when I was posting on an art site I ran.  He too is an artist and so we renewed friendships and he sends me pictures often as to what is up in the Laon Air Force Base region.

For the Fourth, it is wreath laying at a commemorative monument to remember the cost of freedom borne by British and American pilots to take out the previous German Luftpost, where Laon AFB was to be.  And the price paid by American servicemen as they fought over this German support point for the Battle of the Bulge.  Strategic location, high prices paid.

Few actually remember or care any longer ...