Friday, November 12, 2010

Ancien Combattant Jour (Veteran's Day)

Yesterday was Veteran's Day here in France as well. It was a school
holiday and sunny, after a few days of chilly rain, so it had a festive air.


Monsieur le Maire, as we all call the mayor of our little village, loves to come to civic
and cultural events and he always gives a little speech. I love the fact that he wore a
tri-color ribbon across his chest for this one and that he had written a prepared speech.

The Utile, our little grocery store in the village, was closing at 12:30, so I dashed out door to pick up a couple of things for dinner and was surprised by the group that had gathered to
honor the veterans just around the corner from my house. Some had stopped in their
tracks on the way to the bakery or the Utile and stood respectfully listening to the mayor's speech in silence. The veteran's band played a short number afterwards and that was it.
A group flocked to the cafe for a coffee or a beer, others continued on to
the bakery for their baguette or to the Utile for butter.
Short, respectful and sweet.

Hugs from Here.
N2

5 comments:

Kori said...

Every time I come here and see your photos I feel a very visceral need to pack up and move to France. :)

Ellen said...

Honor...I like the fact that people in your village stopping to listen to your mayor making a speech. The photo of him with the flags and veterans...observation and honor. Thank you for sharing that day from your spot in France.

Ms. Moon said...

Now that's a Veteran's Day I could feel good about.
Lovely.

N2 said...

Thanks for dropping by, Ladies, and leaving a note. It is always nice to hear from you.

@Kori: I highly recommend the village life here. At least for the moment, it is possible to step back in time to a simpler life.

@Ellen: Amazing how simple respect and stillness in observance can do more than a lot of pomp and circumstance.

@ Ms Moon: It seemed so simply just right to me, too.

Keeses!
N2

Kathleen Scott said...

And from the heart. Nice that your neighbors remember and honor. My father served in more than one war and my husband in one too. I don't believe in the wars we're in now but I'll always honor the men and women who go.

Will you celebrate Thanksgiving? Hope your day is good!

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