The Abbeye aux Dames, Caen
As a surprise to my Dad, John had applied months before for him to receive the Freedom Medal that was offered to veterans who had been involved in one of the major liberating campaigns in France. The “Abbeye aux Dames” or the Womens Abbey in Caen is where this took place and I believe the then mayor of Normandy was doing the honors of handing out the medals. We were a little lost on the way into town in our little economy car and John rolled down the window and asked a few locals “Wheres the womens .. Abbey?... we are looking for the women’s .. Abbey?” We got some very strange looks and then it dawned on us they are not hearing the “abbey” part. Some women even picked up there walking pace quickly away from us.
Some of the other attendants were standing in for a friend who couldn’t make the trip due to health or receiving it posthumously for someone in their family. There many several veterans mostly British who had taken part in various stages of the French Liberation and later battles. Dad had been on Omaha beach in the morning and through five major campaigns so overall he was a somewhat unique character.
They welcomed and treated everyone very well (a little champagne was offered) and the staff showed alot of respect to the veterans all within this beautiful historical Abbey which was very solemn and peaceful. Dad was of course the consummate American in polo shirt and khakis. I was incredibly proud of him in that moment, since he wasn’t dangling his many medals but he was deserving of anything they could offer and his service to the liberation goes way beyond the Normandy beaches.
Since we were two months late for the Anniversary the crowds had thinned a bit. It was probably a madhouse the week of June 6, 1994. We wish we could have been there.
Next: Breakfast Galettes
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