May 27, 2018
“The Fallen”
Sometimes art inspires me. Sometimes it’s hard to visualize large numbers. These memorials do an excellent job.
I’ve heard of the origin of Decoration Day (Memorial Day) and often thought about the hearts of the women decorating the graves of fallen soldiers during the War Between the States.
Today, I learned of a beautiful memorial done on the Normandy beach on September 21, 2013 that memorialized the enormous loss of life in the absence of peace. They called this project “The Fallen.”
Over 9,000 soldiers and civilians died on June 6th, 1944 as part of the liberation of France during World War II.
The artists chose to etch a human-sized body into the sand of the beach for each soldier and civilian who was reported to have lost their lives during the invasion.
Hundreds of volunteers came and 9,000 sand etchings were created to show the huge loss of people. (above picture from Sand In Your Eye)
This picture from the cliff speaks volumes. (picture below from Sand In Your Eye)
This memorial lasted a few hours until the tide slowly washed it away. The image of this memorial reminds us of the human costs of war; as was quoted from Sand in Your Eye, the artists responsible, “[each figure was] a representation of a person that once lived, they had parents, family, friends… those people that lost their lives are no longer with us but on [this day] they spoke.” (quote from Sand In Your Eye)
Studying history, I understand the necessity of war to rescue people from hopeless situations of oppression, but that doesn’t lessen the sadness of loss. I thank those who serve to protect us, the families of those who perished, and those who were not trained soldiers yet fought when they were needed.
As Memorial Day approaches, I remember those who sacrificed their lives for others. If you can ever visit the memorials in Washington DC, do it; and remember that each name on a memorial is all we see of an entire life – family, friends, and dreams. It hits home when your teary-eyed ten-year-old holds her hand an inch from the reflective black marble wall and says “that could have been granddaddy’s name and then we would be missing all his children and grandchildren.”
Whether we agree with the war or not, we honor and remember each of the fallen.
Thanks for reading!
Type at you next time…
~Nancy Tart