Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Victory Day on the Champs Elysees

The-arch
Photos and Text by: Corey Amaro

May 8th is Victory in Europe Day.
We happened to be walking along the Champs Elysees (trying to find perfume for Kathy's sister) when I noticed in the crowd older men carrying flags. Actually, I noticed the tops of the flags, the old blue, white and red ribbons with golden tassels. I collect those, and of course my heart jumped thinking it was a brocante fair or something like that.

May-8th,-parade

As we approached, or I should say as I dragged my cousins away from the perfume adventure and towards the flags I realized that the flags had owners and those owners were older men and women who had a sense of honor holding their flags.

I felt a ting of sadness thinking that I have ribbons that once belong to someone who might have felt the same honor.

French-flag

The French flag waved large under the Arc de Triomphe.

What was it like on this street over fifty years ago?

I felt tears sting my eyes. I heard my Father's memories echo in my ears, I heard Annie's stories unfold around me, shared memories came running up the Champs Elysees marching, holding flags, waving…. Intense emotion suddenly was mine, and it was as sweet as any perfume.

Marching-band

A marching band played dressed in white. Songs that were not like the American ones I have known…

American-Legion

…their songs, sharing the same victory we all know.

Veteran

Courage to be strong when called upon.

Paris-veteran

To walk daringly in the face of death, while believing strongly in life.

Pride `

Pride standing in beauty.

Flag-tops

Ribbons, and flags that never fade.

Medals

Stories shared that lead us forward.

Red-beret

Faith, family, friends… ageless triumph.

Veteran-with-flag

Honor in actions lived.

Ici-est-tombe

Ici est tombe….

the 25 of August,

Age 20,

Jaques Guierre

Student

Died for France.

These memorial plaques, of men and women who died for France, are everywhere in France. This one is in Paris. The city, like every city, town and village in France, puts a bouquet of flowers on these memorial.

French-WWII

He remembers.

Flags-and-beret

So does he.

Red-beret-paris

Bravery with a red beret.

AMerican-French-FLag

Faith.

Bravery

I asked the veterans if I could take their photos.

They agreed.

I wish I could have done more.


Eternal-flame

To stand in what I believe, to be strong in the face of darkness.

Blue-beret

I will lean on the courage that they walked before me.

Comments

43 responses to “Victory Day on the Champs Elysees”

  1. Amanda

    You have honored them in such a powerful way. Thank you for this, Corey.

    Reply
  2. bloomingrosemusings

    What beauty, bravery, pageantry and sadness.
    Thank you for letting us get a glimpse of this.

    Reply
  3. Sharon

    It was a pleasure to see you honor these men and women with postcard. I always look forward to Memorial Day in the states, because it causes me to look back at all the little USA flags that abound in the cemetery, where men and women have served their country.
    We are blessed by these brave individuals and so grateful am I for their bravery and courage.
    Thanks you for sharing,
    Sharon

    Reply
  4. Betty

    I loved your post today. What wonderful tribute. It made me cry, place my hand over my heart and want to salute the courageous men and women pictured here. And also for the ones who gave their lives so bravely.

    Reply
  5. kim

    I had a similar experience when Andy and were in Cambridge one day, visiting friends. It was Veterans Day and there was a parade. The men from WWII were out… some in wheelchairs… some with walking sticks. I got a wonderful photo of a Scottish gentleman, standing in uniform, looking absolutely grand. I, too felt very emotional and you captured some of my sentiments in this series of photos and words.
    Also, I must add that I’m reading a book, Suite Francaise, which is about the occupation of France during the war. Of course it’s very sad but very compelling.
    kim

    Reply
  6. Chris Wittmann

    Bless you Corey, I think this is your finest posting of all. As a woman whose father served in WWII and fought at the Battle of the Bulge, and whose mother survived the horrors of Nazi Germany, these images hold a special place in my heart. My father died in 1977, long before I got interested enough in world affairs and history to ask him about his experiences. Now at the age of 58 I am finally studying the history of WWII especially the Battle of the Bulge. I get chills seeing images such as this, no matter which flag is flying. My dad served in France, Germany and England. Theirs was truly the finest generation. You can see the pride in their faces and you know they would do it all again. I pray we are never denied the right to fly our American flag.
    Chris

    Reply
  7. Tina Schroer

    Amazing post! My heart is full of thankfulness for those who served so I may be free. There are no words….

    Reply
  8. meppybn

    Yes indeed, Corey, lest we forget……

    Reply
  9. cynthia Wolff @Beatenheart

    and when will the madness ever end..

    Reply
  10. Penny

    I awoke early today, thunder clapping before the alarm. I decided to wait and read you last. When I came to Tongue and Cheek – no new post yet. Patience is not my middle name. Now, here you are, and here I am, humbled and a little teary, your images as moving as the flags these veterans proudly hold, and the memories they must collectively share. Thank you, Corey, for making me pause and give thanks for the men and the women who came before all of us, whether we be French or American or British or anyone else. For the now stopped and wizened soldier, leaning forward, above, but still proud and determined to secure all of our freedom.
    A beautiful post.

    Reply
  11. Lorrie

    Your words and images are a beautiful tribute to the men and women who fought so bravely for France and all of Europe.

    Reply
  12. Kathleen in Oregon

    Beautiful post as always. I’ve been wondering what became of the letters you have written by a french soldier? Are they to personal to share?

    Reply
  13. Jeanette Mc. from Everton Terrace

    Of course I have tears running down my face. Lovely images and so well said, as always. I agree, truly the greatest generation – may we all never forget. While watching the beautiful video, I was struck by the crowd, all women and children of course. Nice post Corey.

    Reply
  14. Alicia

    I got a little teary, too. Thank you, Corey, it’s beautiful.

    Reply
  15. Juliette

    Whaou… Auntie… I am crying…such an emotion readding your textes, watching your pictures… The war is not that far from us. I’ve explained it lightly to Tat & Jarod…
    Thank you for this tribute to French people. (Thanks, american soldiers to have come to help us and… who’ve made dreamed our grand-mothers 😉

    Reply
  16. Victoria Ramos

    Have I thanked you lately for the wonderful photos? They touched my heart. Knowing how that the French experience for civilians (and that of many other countries in Europe) during WWI & WWII differed so much from that experienced here at home — seeing your photos made me think of those times. And of all those who have bravely fought. Lets all pray for peace everywhere.

    Reply
  17. Marilyn

    You have given them a special tribute. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Alena

    Wish I was there.
    T o say Thank you.
    And to say that we DO remember, and that we are teaching our kids so they remember and that we will NOT forget.
    THANK YOU.
    BRAVO.

    Reply
  19. Marcia

    Thank you for posting this. Those of us who are free tend to take our freedom for granted- until something like this slaps us in the face. Thanks for the slap, even if it did make me cry. I recently lost a very dear friend of our family, who was involved in liberating France. He would have loved your pictures.

    Reply
  20. Cherise

    Beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply
  21. Kelley

    oh my Corey. Thank you so much for sharing those photos! I absolutely adore older people and their stories and your pictures shared a little bit of those. And it is amazing that veterans look the same in any country…full of pride and determination and thoughtfulness.
    thanks again…

    Reply
  22. shelley@whiteshed.blogspot.com

    We forget that wars didn’t affect only North American veterans…you make your point with such vividly beautiful aplomb!

    Reply
  23. jendisère

    When my girl was 8 she felt alone in class when the French kids all had WWII veterans in their families. I told her to go back and tell her teacher that she her American grandfather was along side in France. Such connections are of interest for my writing. Thank you for your words and photos as well as reader comments.

    Reply
  24. Jen

    Beautiful Corey. Did you know, there is a ceremony to rekindle the flame every day at 6.30pm? And as one commenter said, Suite Française is a beautiful book.

    Reply
  25. Brenda L from TN

    Just Beautiful…brave men and women…you could see their courage and strenght in their faces and eyes…Thank you, Corey, for taking these pictures…I just loved them…almost cried…brave military men and women are the same the world over…duty and love of country.

    Reply
  26. kelleyn

    I am not a beard girl, but that man with yellow and blue flag with all the medals. I could eat him up. He is so yummy! Thank you to all the men and women who fought so bravely, so we could all have freedom.

    Reply
  27. Nancy from Mass

    your story gave me goosebumps. my father fought alongside the french resistance as an american soldier in the OSS. He was there during D Day. My stepfather also fought in WWII, he parachuted down on DDay and watched all but 3 of his platoon members get shot out of the sky. I think of how wonderful it would be if both of those men were still around… I would bring them back to France to experience a happier France, a more peaceful France. Everytime I see veterans marching in a parade, tears well up in my eyes for Dad and Leo. Thank you for your photos and stories, Corey. Thank you.

    Reply
  28. Marie Amaro

    Cool pictures Coco. That’s very nice that they let you take thier photos! The look well dressed, I like the outfits.

    Reply
  29. AmyKortuem

    I started out reading this and laughing (“I thought it was a brocante fair!”) and then ended up with tears in my eyes. What a loving tribute, Corey.

    Reply
  30. naomi

    Thank you so much for these photographs. I have just developed a keen interest in history, especially in WW2 and my own grandfather’s part in it. He did not speak of it, but like all of these sober faces, he did not forget. I pray I do not take for granted the freedom that they and others like them, even up to today, continue to fight for.
    Wonderful touching post.

    Reply
  31. Rhonda P

    What a beautiful tribute to all of those men! Your Paris postcard photos have touched all of our hearts.
    Bless you Corey for being you and feeding us your daily love.
    You are the one and only Corey who sees with her camera so we can see.
    These men have faces that make you want to hear their stories, sad or not.
    Until tomorrow….Rhonda P.

    Reply
  32. Suz

    Very moving post, Cory! How exciting to come upon this memorial. I may not always comment, Cory, but I enjoy following your blog posts. Enjoy your travels!

    Reply
  33. Theresa

    Alls I can say is this post was wonderful. The bravery, dedication and so much more. This post surely brought tears to my eyes. And your photos of these brave individuals were beautiful. The photos tell the story.
    thank you.

    Reply
  34. Christine

    A French song says “Si les Ricains n’étaient pas là”… If American soldiers had not come die for France…
    Thanks to them and respect for the WWI & Allies who saved the liberty … and thanks to you for this so emotional post.

    Reply
  35. mindi

    Thankyou Corey. So moving.

    Reply
  36. Aina

    Oh Corey, your thoughts and words moved me enormously today! At first I laughed when you were eager and thought you had found a market with some beautiful treasures. I had probably reacted like that as well 🙂 But then I just stared at those huge courageous and proud people with beautiful clothes, marching through the streets of France. Well what does none of them had to go through. It is difficult for us young, perhaps to understand how it feels like, we can only imagine. But the pictures tell a lot. It is very moving..
    Aina

    Reply
  37. Lori

    Wow, that was amazing. I felt like I was there honoring the great woman and men who served.

    Reply
  38. Kathy Fliegauf

    Sitting here stunned by the beauty of flags waving today and the feelings shown on the faces and bodies. These people give life such meaning…such strength of character! I applaud you for this capture.

    Reply
  39. Danna

    There are tears streaming down my face after reading your beautiful tribute. They washed away the ‘wo is me’ attitude that I woke up with today….and replaced it with an ‘I’m a lucky girl indeed”.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  40. Lorelei Lane

    OMGoodness what a beautiful tribute to the veterans. Your pictures are indeed powerful and honorable. Thank you for sharing with us. As a veteran, married to a veteran, and from a family lineage of veterans traced back to the settlers, I am proud to read such tributes and wonder who will capture our pictures when we have another 20 years on us??

    Reply
  41. Rebecca from the Pacific Northwest

    I asked for a postcard of old men at a war memorial. You indirectly answered with an entire blog post of the most moving photos and a living memorial.
    And I’m so grateful for the link to your last-year blog about the French war letters. I had missed it, and it was so tender watching your men respectfully read those letters. thank you. (Have you posted follow-ups about the letters? If not, would you please?)
    I am putting my parents’ letters on a blog — they wrote daily while Dad was on a ship in the South Pacific and Mom was at her parents’ in Texas. http://ww2letters.wordpress.com/

    Reply
  42. Connie

    Thank you for your beautiful blog. I am an early morning person, not by choice, and I read your writings and look at your wonderful photos at 4 AM most days. I have been to France twice and I hope to go again someday. It is where I feel the most joy, more joy than I knew I could feel just by being somewhere, not doing anything but seeing and hearing. I am so grateful to you for helping me to feel that joy again while I am living here in the American south. I miss France, how to explain missing a place I only have been to for 2 short visits, but I do have an ache in my heart for it. I am an artist and recently had to make the choice of renting a studio away from my home or continue saving for a trip to France. The studio won and I am so happy with it! I have tried for two years to work at home but for me that did not work. It was a very hard decision. I had to weigh the joy of the studio against one week in France. What a choice! I feel terribly greedy wanting both but I almost cry to think that I may never again get to see that beautiful place. How can I blame myself for that feeling, anyone who has loved France will understand.

    Reply
  43. Lisa

    I will be living a life long dream of going to Paris in June. I have truly been enjoying all your postcards.

    Reply

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