France and Belgium Travelogue Five
Dear Friends,
In the early-morning hours of June 6, 1944, the weather in Normandy was overcast and foggy. The temperature hovered in the low to mid-50’s as tens of thousands of Allied soldiers crossed the English Channel to storm the beaches and begin Operation Overlord which would eventually lead to the liberation of Europe from the strangle-hold of Nazi power and the ultimate defeat of Adolf Hitler and the end of the Second World War. This victory came only at the extreme cost of the lives of thousands of brave soldiers. It was Omaha Beach, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France that saw the highest number of casualties. Two days later, while the battle still raged, the US Army established the Normandy-American Cemetery to lay those men to rest and memorialize their sacrifice.
74 years later, on the morning of June 6, 2018, the weather in Normandy was eerily similar as the Georgia Boy Choir arrived at the American Cemetery there to pay homage to those soldiers. Heretofore, they had experienced atypically high temperatures during the 11 days they had been touring throughout Belgium and France, so the contrast on this day was notable, adding a sense of gravitas and sobriety to their visit. The significance of the events that had taken place on this hallowed ground so many years earlier had been explained to the boys who seemed, even at their tender ages, to understand. They were quiet and introspective as they toured the graveyard and memorial and heard stories of some of those Americans who had bravely given their lives in the battle. So, when it came time for them to present a concert commemorating the anniversary of that battle and celebrate the American contribution to bringing peace to the world, they sang with strength and pride from hearts of gratitude.
They presented a program of American music that included stirring renditions of some patriotic songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America, the Beautiful,” and “The Mansions of the Lord” among others. Particularly poignant was their performance of Samuel Barber’s moving setting of “Agnus Dei” which is a heartfelt prayer for forgiveness, mercy, and peace by one of the greatest American composers of the 20th century.
Click here to see a video of the Georgia Boy Choir at the Normandy-American Cemetery singing “Agnus Dei” by Samuel Barber.
At the center of the Memorial is a 22-foot high bronze statue entitled, “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves.” That spirit was well represented by Sam Maas and Liam Taylor, this year’s recipients of the Georgia Boy Choir’s Character and Tradition Awards as they lay a wreath at the base of the statue during a solemn ceremony following the concert. All of the members of the Choir felt greatly honored and humbled to have been chosen to participate in such a meaningful way. Other travelers who had to come to pay their respects were profuse in their gratitude, many with tears in their eyes, as they thanked the Choir for adding such beauty and meaning to their time at the cemetery.
Until next time,
The Georgia Boy Choir 2018 France and Belgium Tour Team