The Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, did no less than alter the course of the world. Seventy years later, the world still comes to the Normandy landing beaches to honor what the Allies accomplished in WWII, one of the great moments in history.

Of course, the occasion deserves the internationally-televised speeches by world leaders. But this year I chose to visit village commemorations, the ones that speak volumes about respect among ordinary people.

These village festivities, including the reconstructed American military camp in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, made me question if the merriment was suitable for the occasion. But the surprising cultural encounters I had there proved me wrong, leading to several “Oh, I see” moments.

More American than an American

With so much American memorabilia, from the tents to the uniforms to the vintage vehicles and supplies, I was sure the US government had staged the reconstruction . . . until the “soldiers” began to speak—in French!

Such cultural encounters are a disconnect—American to the eye, French to the ear. But, the duality stems from the fascination that most people have with great moments in history and from the passionate respect that the French have for the Allies who liberated their country.

So great is their passion that they bring a meticulous approach to recapturing the authentic life of the Allied military camps.

I strolled through the camp to a Glen Miller tune, taking in the American icons that were everywhere. Though the cartoon character of Betty Boop began as a French poodle and quickly morphed into the curvaceous woman she is today, it was the US soldiers in WWII who introduced her to France.

Giving back, it was the French re-enactors from dedicated historical organizations who made sure Betty graced the table in the kitchen of this American army camp. The cultural exchange was complete.

American for a Day

Visitors to the reconstructed military camp got into the scene, too, dressing up as an admired American persona.

This man sports the mohawk worn by 13 paratroopers in the 101st Airborne Division on D-Day. Known as the “Filthy Thirteen,” these paratroopers were among the first to be dropped behind enemy lines with instructions to destroy key bridges and take no prisoners.

On July 14, 1944, only 38 days after D-Day, 49 women in the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) landed in Normandy and took over the switchboards left behind by the Germans. So, naturally, the WACs appeared in the American military camp at the 70th Anniversary commemoration, too. These visitors look the part, both military and civilian.

Military Vehicles for Posterity

When the Allies and the Germans moved through France, they left tons of military vehicles and equipment behind. Taken in by the French, the items have been passed from generation to generation or bought and sold in the many military antique fairs.

On the occasion of a military camp re-enactment, the vehicles arrive en masse much like a car meet in the US.

With these privately-owned vehicles, the pride of ownership shows. But I learn from this cultural encounter that, for the owners, there’s something more—the responsibility to preserve the history related to the world’s greatest accomplishments.

Not all the military vehicles at the reconstructed camp were American, and one important one was not even of the period.

By now, I was used to speaking French with men in US uniforms. But when I used French to ask this man about his motorcycle, I didn’t get through. Finally, in English, he explained his story.

Born in East Germany, his father fought for the Germans in WWII. After the war, he returned home to his family in East Germany where this motorcycle became a common sight associated with how the Russians arrested citizens and kept them hostage.

Free now, the man I met cherishes his ownership of the motorcycle. He brought it to Normandy for the D-Day commemoration as a symbol of his freedom. He says:

This cultural encounter with an East German man in a US paratrooper uniform at a French re-enactment of an American military camp confirmed that celebratory festivities were, in fact, appropriate for the occasion. Certainly, freedom is cause for merriment.

Comment on this post below, or inspire insight with your own OIC Moment here.

$\"Reconstructed$

Reconstructed American military camp at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont during
the D-Day 70th Anniversary commemoration, 2014
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n

Preserving Great Moments in History<\/h2>\n
The Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, did no less than alter the course of the world.\u00a0Seventy years later, the world still comes to the Normandy landing beaches to honor\u00a0what the Allies accomplished in WWII, one of the great moments in history.<\/p>\n
Of course, the occasion deserves the internationally-televised\u00a0speeches by\u00a0world leaders. But this year I chose to visit village commemorations, the ones that\u00a0speak volumes about respect among\u00a0ordinary people.<\/p>\n
$\"French$ <\/a>
French villagers bedeck their homes with flags and ribbons for the festivities.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
These village festivities, including the reconstructed American\u00a0military camp in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, made me question if the merriment was suitable for\u00a0the occasion. But\u00a0the surprising cultural encounters I had there proved me wrong, leading to several “Oh, I see” moments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n
More American than an American<\/h4>\n
With so much American memorabilia, from the tents to the uniforms to the vintage vehicles and supplies, I was sure\u00a0the US government had staged the reconstruction . . . until the “soldiers” began to speak—in French!<\/p>\n
$\"Frenchmen,$
Men, who look like American soldiers, are French re-enactors.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
Such cultural encounters are\u00a0a disconnect—American to the eye, French to the ear. \u00a0But, the duality stems from the\u00a0fascination that most\u00a0people have with great moments in history and from the passionate respect that the French have for the Allies who liberated their country.<\/p>\n
So great is their passion that they bring a meticulous approach to recapturing the authentic life of the Allied military camps.<\/p>\n
$\"Kitchen$
Everyday items, like those in this reconstructed army camp kitchen,
are passionately sought out by militaria collectors.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
I strolled through the camp to a Glen Miller tune, taking in the American icons that were everywhere. Though the cartoon character of Betty Boop began as a French poodle and quickly morphed into the curvaceous woman she is today,\u00a0it was the US soldiers in WWII who introduced her to France.<\/p>\n
$\"Kitchen$
Betty Boop, America’s first animated sex symbol, appeared in 1930
and was still going strong in WWII.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
Giving back, it was the French re-enactors from dedicated historical organizations who\u00a0made sure Betty\u00a0graced the table in the kitchen of this American army camp. The cultural exchange was complete.<\/p>\n
American for a Day<\/h4>\n
Visitors to the reconstructed military camp got into the scene, too, dressing up as\u00a0an admired\u00a0American persona.<\/p>\n
This man sports the mohawk worn by 13 paratroopers\u00a0in the 101st Airborne Division on D-Day. \u00a0Known as\u00a0the “Filthy Thirteen,”\u00a0these\u00a0paratroopers were among the first to be dropped behind enemy lines with instructions to destroy key bridges and take no prisoners.<\/p>\n
$\"Frenchman$
This Frenchman chose to impersonate a “Filthy Thirteen” paratrooper.
Only four of the original thirteen survived the war.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
On July 14, 1944, only 38 days after D-Day, 49 women in the Women’s Army Corps\u00a0(WACs) landed in\u00a0Normandy and took over the switchboards left behind by the Germans.\u00a0So, naturally, the WACs appeared in the American military camp at\u00a0the 70th Anniversary commemoration, too. These visitors look the part, both military and civilian.<\/p>\n
$\"A$
Even visitors to the reconstructed army camp came in period dress.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
Military Vehicles for Posterity<\/h4>\n
When the Allies and the Germans moved through France, they left tons of military vehicles and equipment behind. Taken in by the French, the items have been passed from generation to generation or bought and sold in the many military antique fairs.<\/p>\n
On the occasion of a military camp re-enactment, the vehicles arrive\u00a0en masse<\/em> much like a car meet in the US.<\/p>\n
$\"US$
Now appearing in shows and parades, Jeeps and other vehicles
were instrumental after D-Day in the Allied advancement across northern France to Berlin.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
With these privately-owned vehicles, the pride of ownership shows. But I learn from this cultural encounter that, for the owners, there’s something more—the responsibility to preserve the history related to the world’s greatest accomplishments.<\/p>\n
$\"Military$
Heavy cargo trucks, like this one, clogged the roads as they delivered supplies to the front lines.
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
Not all the military vehicles at the reconstructed camp were American, and one important one was not even of the period.<\/p>\n
$\"A$
A post-war Soviet motorcycle based on German technology from the WWII period
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
By now, I was used to speaking French with men in US uniforms. But when I used French to ask this man about his motorcycle, I didn’t get\u00a0through.\u00a0Finally, in English, he explained his story.<\/p>\n
Born in East Germany, his father fought for the Germans in WWII. After the war, he returned home to his family in East Germany where this motorcycle\u00a0became a common sight\u00a0associated with how the Russians arrested citizens and kept\u00a0them\u00a0hostage.<\/p>\n
Free now, the man I met cherishes his ownership of\u00a0the motorcycle. He\u00a0brought it to Normandy for the D-Day commemoration as a symbol of his freedom. He says:<\/p>\n
“The Allies freed my father from Hitler and me from the Communists.”<\/i><\/p>\n
This cultural encounter with an East German man in a US paratrooper uniform at a French re-enactment of an American military camp confirmed that celebratory festivities were, in fact, appropriate for the occasion. Certainly, freedom is cause for merriment.<\/p>\n
$\"Window$
Celebrate freedom!
\u00a9 Sheron Long<\/p><\/div>\n
D-Day events continue through 2014. For details, visit DDay-Overlord.com<\/a> and\u00a0 the 70th-normandy.com<\/a>. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association<\/a> publishes dates for military vehicle meet-ups in the US.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
Comment<\/i><\/a>\u00a0<\/em>on this post below, or inspire insight with your own\u00a0OIC Moment\u00a0<\/em>here<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
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