Memorial Day 2014

After church yesterday, we were sitting around wondering what we should do for the rest of the day.  We decided we should drive to France.  You know, no big deal...we drove to France just for fun.  Living in Europe is awesome!

Not too far over the border from Germany, there is Lorraine American Cemetery which is the resting place for almost 11,000 troops killed in WWII.  We enjoyed a beautiful and peaceful afternoon paying our respects to those who have died fighting for the freedom of people throughout the world.  

Here we are in front (or perhaps behind) the Memorial Chapel. 

 A wall of 400 names of people who died, but whose bodies were never recovered.

 A map inside the chapel, showing the intricacies of the military operations in Western Europe.

 "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.  Progress in the global war in two hemispheres 1944-1945.

 Here we are in front of the chapel.

 We would read the name of the deceased, what rank they were, and where they were from.  Then Brigham would say, "Thanks Robert."  It was precious.  Obviously they don't really get it, but someday they will.

 "Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God."

 There are 30 sets of brothers buried at Lorraine.  This made me particularly grateful to not only those who died but to the sacrifice of their families.

 "The American cemetery at Lorraine was built on an old French Army training ground.  On 21 August 1939, the 18th light cavalry regiment left this site to take up a position on the German frontier.  It was thus the first unit of the French Army to demonstrate the determination of the allies to defend peace and liberty."

 "To these we owe the highest resolve that the cause for which they died shall live."  One on the other side says, "Through the grave and gate of death may they pass to their joyful resurrection."

 We've been to National Cemeteries before, both in Leavenworth and in Arlington.  What stood out to both of us here is how quickly this cemetery filled up.  It is filled solely of soldiers who died in WWII, but more specifically between 1944-1945.  The graves looked beautiful with an American and French flag next to each one.

 My boys, with their soldier daddy.

 Benson looking for Ninja Turtles.

 "I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.  And I won't forget the men who died who gave that right to me!"

 These Mikkelsens are sure grateful for our freedom - and for all those who have ever defended it for us.

Ward Campout

Where is the coolest place you have ever camped?  We camped at Manderscheid's Niederburg Castle this weekend.  It was definitely as awesome as it looks.  

We were among the first from our group to arrive at the castle on Friday afternoon.  The castle is a functioning place of business, with a little cafe/souvenir shop, and the castle open for exploring.  They were just closing down when we arrived.  We asked the woman in charge where we should set up our tents.  (While we were looking around while she was still helping customers, we found this beautiful, large field just down from the castle ruins and figured that would be a good spot for a ward to camp...)

 As it turns out, we were told to pitch our tents anywhere inside the castle walls.  We selected our own private little suite through the door and up a small hill, next to a small fire pit.  It was perfect for our tents (our neighbor and her kids came with us).

 So, we pitched our tents, unloaded the car, and got ready to explore.  It was awesome.

 This is the view of our little campsite, looking down from a walkway that connects the castle to a tower.  

 Castle walls are unbelievably thick!

 Here we are at the top of the Niederburg.  Behind us is the Oderburg, Manderscheid's other castle.

 This is looking down on our little campsite...see our tents by the small tower?

 A bit more zoomed out.

 There was a monument from World War I, we are assuming from the years.  We haven't yet researched what it said or is.

 I caught Brig mid-sentence here.  He was walking over to say he loved me...such a sweet boy.

 Ben found a new hat....

Brigham thought it looked fun, too.

 Our little campsite ended up having the only accessible fire pit.  Nobody thought to bring firewood, but lots of people brought s'more stuff.  I, wanting s'mores myself, took it upon myself to find firewood for our pit. I did happen upon the owner's wife who was dropping off the food for the cafe.  I inquired about firewood, she called her husband, he told her what we could use, and that was that.  Josh used a dull ax to chop up the scraps we were given, and we had a nice fire, that was shared with our entire ward..in that tiny little space.  It was awesome.  Even more awesome was once the crowds left and we had it to ourselves.

 The river, that runs next to where we thought we would be camping.

 S'mores!

 The weather was beautiful, the stars were shining bright when we went to bed about midnight.  It wasn't long afterward that I awoke to many loud raindrops.  It poured and poured...and luckily we stayed dry and *mostly* warm.  The next morning we had rainy pancakes, rainy camp breakdown, and a rainy drive home. There wasn't enough rain to ruin an awesome campout though.  It was fantastic - and made us excited for camping in the future.