Newsies from the Nugents...: 2018

As we recently celebrated and honored our military during the Memorial Day weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to share a post from our visit to France a few weeks ago. Across Europe, many Church feast days are also bank and school holidays, so we took advantage of one such long weekend and set out for a seven-hour, cross-country road trip through Belgium and into western France to walk the somber, hallow shores of D-Day and trek to the centuries-old, iconic-island of Saint Mont Michel.

Traveling as a party of five now lends a few agonizing ~~minutes~~ hours to our travels, and this trip was much the same, minus one exception. We didn't need Betty, our ever-dependable, GPS guidance lady to tell us: "You have arrived at your destination". Instead, our bushy-tailed, backseat navigators were quick to proudly quip, "Look! There is the American flag!! There is the American flag!!"

YES! The Nugents had arrived in Normandie. Flags of the French tricolors and the stars and stripes of Old Glory billowed harmoniously high into the crisp, spring air--building after building, village after village. Though far too numerous to even count or remember--the sites of so many American flags on foreign soil surely made our family proud to call ourselves Americans and forever grateful for the sacrifice and heroism of our military.

God Bless the U.S.A.!

"The WAR"

Having lived in Europe now for close to four years, Jason and I have learned that when speaking of World World II, Europeans always refer to it as "The WAR". As poignant and wrenching as it was studying about it; reading about it; watching movies about it; and visiting museums and memorials about it; nothing quite compares to the eerily, raw and surreal emotion of walking the sacred sand of those fabled, D-Day shores. The sacrifice, bravery, and heroism are beyond comprehension.

Utah Beach

Streets are named for Roosevelt, pubs bearing Eisenhower--American military affirmations are visible at every stop along the way. Seventy-five years later, the French's American patriotism still resoundingly resonates. While history books may be written about the events in the past, in Normandy, history is still very much embedded in the culture of the present.

Although there were smiles in this photo, I remember Jason and I both kind of taking a deep breath before walking over the dune as we approached the beach with some semblance of reverence for those that may lay below us. It was definitely a deep moment where we stopped to give pause, saying a quick prayer, and taking in the magnitude of raw emotions.

From the bayous of Louisiana to the beaches of Normandy...the Higgins boats were instrumental in the D-Day invasion.

Bunkers used by the Germans

I even had a fellow French antique dealer remark to me, "This is your country!"

Omaha Beach and American Cemetery

Amongst the thousands of crosses, Jason spotted two cross markers of Louisiana soldiers.
This one honoring Samuel Cohen.

These sacrifices aren't lost on the younger generations. Jason thought it was especially touching to see so many French families bringing their young children to the American cemetery and educating them on "The WAR".

We happened to be at the cemetery for the retiring of the colors ceremony and we were so proud of the children for standing in silence and respect as Taps was played. It was very moving.

"The ceiling in the chapel is a colorful mosaic which depicts America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air to fight for freedom, and a grateful France bestowing a laurel wreath upon American dead who gave their lives to liberate Europe’s oppressed peoples."

Mont Saint Michel

I guess on any other trip, a visit to this centuries-old gothic, granite island would be the crown jewel. But for a quick history, legend has it that at the request of the Archangel Michel, Aubert, Bishop of Avranches built and consecrated a small church on the 16th October 709. In 966 a community of Benedictines settled on the rock at the request of the Duke of Normandy and the pre-Romanesque church was built before the year one thousand. Today, it is home to less than 50 residents and an abbey, chapels, hotels, restaurants, and shops. It is completely surrounded by water, and only accessible during low tide and not really conducive for toting tots in a big-wheel stroller! Ha!

The children and I spent a few minutes in prayer in the chapel and lit a few candles for all of deceased family members and for our mothers, grandmothers and godmothers for the Mother's Day weekend.

Chateau de Pont-Rilly

What did we ever do before AIRBNB? The chance to stay on the estate of an authentic French chateau with a chapel, orangerie, stables, barn, mill, and bakery was definitely a pinch-me moment!

I know what you must be thinking? A boring, stuffy aristocratic French chateau... and yes, an eye roll. HA! But remember this is Normandy, and there is so much in this region that was in one way, shape, or form affected by "The WAR".

Built in the 1700's, the expansive grounds and main house were used during World War II by the Americans as a communications hub. In the 1980's Jean-Jacques and Annick purchased the home and have since made restoring to its former grandeur a life-long passion. Today, the Chateau de Pont-Rilly and its surrounding cottages serve as a bed and breakfast to guests from all over the world.

Graham and Caroline ran about the vast green fields, chasing peacocks and goats, and admiring any other animals roaming the fields and streams.

The horse stables. I could have just stayed a few nights here.

This boulangerie-turned-cottage was the perfect short-stay accommodation. Jason even went so far to say that it would be the perfect the "camp in Mississippi". His way of saying he approved! Ha!