A few more monuments / memorials to share …
Overlooking the village of the same name, the Chateau Thierry Monument is another massive and picturesque monument dedicated to the American forces in the great war. I visited it on the tail end of my stop at the Aisne Marne cemetery, and it was a powerful finish to an already excellent day of touring. The monument (like most of the others) is classic in its style, and locals refer to it as the “radiator” (the pictures should explain why). We don’t make structures like these any more. The grounds weren’t as pristine since the ABMC is doing some work on the main platform, but that didn’t distract me at all – or the other people that were there to picnic or stroll on a Saturday night. The monument has a map of the area, showing the troop movements in July 1918 during the final German offensive in the Second Battle of the Marne. Besides an orientation table and dedication text, the major divisions are engraved on the side of the memorial, along with their division symbols. I love those symbols.
The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery is the only major memorial close to the city of Paris. The structure is part of the Domaine National de Sainte-Cloud park near the town of Garches. The Lafayette Escadrille were American pilots that flew missions in various campaigns on the Western Front under the command of French officers. American men joined the French Foreign Legion well before the US declared way, and they became the first form of manned military assistance for the French – and very popular in France. The monument lists all of the Americans that perished in their air service in the Escadrille, and the crypt underneath the huge arch holds the bodies of most of the 68 men that died in the skies of France. After helping with repairs and restoration of the memorial. Reliefs of American fliers adorn the sides, and a huge mosaic of the Indian head symbol of the Escadrille is centered under the arch. The ABMC describes it as a great symbol of French and American cooperation, and I agree – both nation’s flags fly high in front of the memorial, and Lafayette’s and Washington’s profiles are opposite each other under the arch. The AMBC actually took over the memorial this year in an agreement between the US and France – just another example of a positive and powerful relationship between the two countries, strengthened by history.
Of course, I took liberties with my entrance to the memorial. I "found" a side entrance to the park (basically, I was in the wrong place) , walked an isolated path by some chickens, crossed through some woods and then ...
I like my entrance better than the fancy one.
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