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FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 5, 6, 2004
STE. MERE EGLISE, FRANCE - MILITARY CEMETERY FACILITIES
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Some Gave All
The Quarter Master Corps HQ for Graves Registration in Ste. Mere
Eglise. The group was responsible for the management of nine temporary
cemeteries that were established even as the combat was underway.
Those cemeteries were St. Mere Eglise Nrs. 1 & 2, Blosville, La Cambe,
St. Laurent, St. Corneille, Gorrcy, Marigny and La Chene Guerin.
After the hostilities ended, the St. Laurent site was included in what
is now the permanent Normandy American Cemetery. As each temporary
cemetery was closed the remains of its occupants were exhumed.
Then, according to family wishes, the individuals were either transported
to their hometowns or interred in the Normandy cemetery. Wooden
crosses that had been employed in the temporary grounds were replaced
with permanent granite markers reflecting each person's religious choice.
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 Tradition
of Thanks began soon after these men were laid to rest as local
people placed flowers on each grave. The townspeople continue
such practices to this day
Note that the cross arms are still lacking and the rocky soil that
must have made digging these 6,000 graves by hand a very laborious task..
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