French Woman Meets Vet’s Family After Caring For His Grave

WCCO.com ^ | 11/11/15 | Bill Hudson

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

About 125,000 World War II soldiers and airmen are buried in 11 cemeteries in France. For many of their families it’s difficult, if not impossible, to pay a foreign visit to decorate their loved-one’s grave.

But 70 years after World War II ended, French volunteers continue their pledge to do what American loved ones can’t.

“He was in a bomber group and they were flying a mission over France,” said the nephew named after his uncle Chuck.

Gunner Charles Speier was just 20 years old, a gifted artist, when he and his bomber crew were shot down April 1, 1944.

Decades later, a simple white marble cross still marks his grave in an American cemetery in Epinal, France.

“She wanted to put a picture or a face with this name on the cross,” the younger Chuck Speier said.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

Grab a hanky.

[BobL]

The French are a BUNCH OF STUCK UP JERKS.

At least that was my opinion until reading this...gotta love them.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

WHAT? They're not ALL Cheese Eating Surrender Monkeys? Some actually REMEMBER when America used to save the World's arse?

Nicely done. :)

[dforest]

Very nice story. *sigh* Amid all the foulness going on anymore.

[ken5050]

I've visited Normandy several times over the years..walked the landing beaches and the American cemeteries, walked through the bocage, and spent time in the small towns, like Saint. Lo. I can say without a doubt that the the French people there..in some cases 5 generations removed from the war, still have a great love and appreciation for the Allies. To them, even the youngsters, the memories of the war are still alive...the stories handed down...the legacy preserved.

But most of the rest of the Frogs do in fact suck...

[dfwgator]

That’s why I gave up French-bashing years ago.

[dfwgator]

Having been to Paris twice now, I can say, I was generally surprised with how nice the French people there were, at least to us, YMMV.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

My father was treated well in France during the war.

Probably because he spoke French.

;-)

[dfwgator]

That’s a key part.....I used my bad French whenever I could, and they do appreciate the effort.

[Psalm 144]

Awesome video. Thank you for linking it.

[Monterrosa-24]

...and Paris is to France what New York is to America and I would not want anyone to judge us by how polite New Yorkers are.

[cpdiii]

The bravest man I
I have ever known was Henri Nezondet
. he was only 16 years old and lived in Pau on the Spanish border. He helped the underground get our airmen out of occupied France to fly and fight another day.

If he was caught he and his family would have been tortured for information and then executed.

I wish I
I were the man this 16 year old kid was.

[Finny]

At least that was my opinion until reading this...gotta love them.

Amen.

[Finny]

A golden post.

[leaning conservative]

Um, I needed two....

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

It really was a great story.

[kvanbrunt2]

nice to me as well and lots of pretty girls. all you need to do is start a few words in french and they know your american with you accent and they will treat you well. only one waiter at a cafe near père lachaise cemetery was rude.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

God bless these fine people.

[BobL]

Perhaps that’s the secret to enjoying France - go to Normandy and similar spots - stay clear of the big cities.