Comments on: An Hour from Paris: Chateau Thierry’s American WWI Sights (photolog)

By: Lawrence Peery

Lawrence Peery — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 22:50:39 +0000

I have a great uncle in each of these two cemeteries. One died on the first day of the battle and one died as it was ending. As far as I know they never met. I also have two uncles who died in WWII in the Pacific, one of them on the Arizona and the other on some nameless atoll in the South Africa. Since I survived Vietnam I had hopes that that would be the end of it for the Peerys contribution to our wars. Alas, my half-brother, also a Peery, was killed by Khadafi’s agents in the 80s. Will it ever stop?

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 21:35:39 +0000

In reply to Nancy Johnson.

Nancy,
Glad to hear that you appreciate the photolog.
I’d love to see some of your grandfather’s photos if you can to send any to me at gary [at] francerevisited.com.
Best regards,
Gary

By: Nancy Johnson

Nancy Johnson — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 20:11:04 +0000

Thank you for this informative story. I found it because I’m going thru some old photos and and discovered many that were taken there during the war by my grandfather with descriptions written on the back.
I’ts amazing that it’s been 100 years!

By: Louis Mahern

Louis Mahern — Sun, 21 Sep 2014 16:50:03 +0000

My wife and I will be going this Octobere 2014. We will spend 10 days in Paris one of which we will definitely spend at Belleau Wooid. I spent 4 years in the Marine Corps. It would be hard to overemphasize the importance of this battle in Marine Corps history. This nearly 73 year old Marine is looking forward to visiting this hallowed ground.

By: Cindy Kling

Cindy Kling — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 23:35:55 +0000

Gary – We are planning to visit the Cemetery the first week of June in 2015. My Gr-Gr Grandfather was Maj. Gen. Edward Mann Lewis, who commanded the 3rd Bat, 2nd Div in the battle, later commanded the 30th Inf. Div when they broke through the Hindenburg Line. We may be able to go a week earlier if the Memorial Day celebration is on 5/30/15 next year – Could you put me in contact with David Atkinson before our visit? I have some photos to share, and want to pay our respects to the boys who kept us free, and did not come home. Thanks for this wonderful site and keeping the memory alive… Cindy

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Sun, 25 May 2014 19:36:17 +0000

In reply to Rose Kozubal.

Dear Rose,

What a pleasure to receive your moving comments on this Memorial Day weekend, when Chateau-Thierry holds one of France’s major American Memorial Day commemorations.

While it’s too bad that you didn’t see my photolog before you went, its clear that you did fine on your own. David Atkinson is wonderful representative/superintendent for the cemetery, always very helpful and kind. Your father was apparently stationed nearby at some point during the war, so knowing what division he was in it might be possible to figure out how and when he would have visited the cemetery.

Thanks for your testimonial.

Best regards,

Gary

By: Rose Kozubal

Rose Kozubal — Sun, 25 May 2014 18:03:50 +0000

Dear Gary:

I just discovered your web article and beautiful photo log of Chateau-Thierry and Belleau. I wish I saw this excellent material prior to visiting this area in September 2012.

You see, my father who served in World War II in Normandy had a photo taken with several of his buddies on the World War I Monument in Chateau-Thierry. As a child, I discovered the photo and was always curious about the circumstances of photo and the area. The inscription on the back of the photo simply said, ” Chateau Thierry, France.” Never in a million years could I ever believe that I would one day stand on the same monument where my father stood 68 years earlier. He died at the age of 61 in 1984 when I was 21. I guess I will never know the details of his visit or of the photo.

Nevertheless, I am honored to have been able to visit Chateau-Thierry and Belleau France and pay tribute to the many lives lost during both World War I and WW II. We must remember: “Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”

Thank you for your reporting. I would definitely encourage visitors to this area. David Atkinson was very accommodating to my husband and me during our visit and was happy to share his knowledge and information about this beautiful area so rich in historical significance.

Sincerely,

Rose Marie (Bednarick) Kozubal

By: Gary Lee Kraut

Gary Lee Kraut — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 11:00:45 +0000

Christine,
Thanks for your beautiful report. It’s nice to hear of personal connections with fallen soldiers that continues after nearly 100 years. When I revisited the cemetery with a group of travelers the week after you, Superintendent David Atkinson told us a number of wonderful stories of family members visiting a grave two or three generations later. The staff there is incredibly helpful and available to insist and inform visitors.
Best regards,
Gary

By: Christine Shields

Christine Shields — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:05:43 +0000

On April 5, 2012 my daughter and I had the great pleasure and honor of visiting the memorial. My Grandfather, Private Francis J. Ryan of the Second Engineers , US Army was injured at Bellau Woods. Before my mother passed away I promised her I would go to Bellau Woods and bring something of his there. Flora Nicolas (American Battle Monuments Commission) and Marie Christine Garrido were there to greet us. They gave us a tour and allowed my daughter and I to fold the American flags when it was time for Taps. Ms. Garrido further honored us by accepting a medal and photos from my Grandfather for the Chateau-Thierry Tourism Museum. This is a day that we will never, ever forget; I, my daughter and my brothers who could not be there with me are ever grateful for the kindness and the graciousness shown to us.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:58:43 +0000

I’ve been to Normandy and am now adding to my own list. Thanks.