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LETTER
FROM THE MAYOR OF BEYREUX
IN RELATION TO BLOG ITEM BY
THE DISSIDENT
FROGMAN
See
also the related Tallrite Blog item
No Americans in
Normandy in 1944
_________________
Letter received 14th July 2003
Ladies
and Gentlemen
In
response to the various emails received recently following Mr Douglas
HOTT’s stay in our town and his visit to the Battle of Normandy Museum,
where he noted the absence of the American flag in certain parts of the
museum, I would like to make the following points to you:
 | As you can see on the enclosed
photographs, the Stars and Stripes are in fact present in various
places both inside the museum, in the section devoted to the American
sector, and outside, in the row of flags illustrating the major
countries that took part in the Battle of Normandy. This flag was
moreover flown at half mast for several days following the events of
9/11 out of sympathy for our American friends during that painful
period. |
| The absence of that flag over
the monument shown in one of the photographs
on the website is perfectly normal: this monument commemorates the liberation of Bayeux by a British regiment, the
Sherwood Rangers. As requested by the veterans of that regiment, the
French and British flags were put in place, and the center pole was
reserved for the regiment’s standard during any commemorative
ceremonies. |
| As regards the absence of pins
and small American flags at the museum shop, this is because the shop
is momentarily out of stock as there has been a run on these items
over the last few weeks. |
I
would further add that that the Battle of Normandy Museum is perfect
even-handed and impartial in its treatment of the military operations
carried out during the battle in 1944, whether it be by the US Army of the
British Army or their Allies, and that the US flag is to be found in a
prominent position in various parts of the museum (see photos), in the
best and most legitimate tribute to the considerable sacrifices made by
the United States during the battle they fought to liberate our country.
As
you can also see on the enclosed photographs, the American flag flies high
in many streets in the town, and at the main entrances:
| To the West, round the
Liberation Monument |
| To the South, on the edge of
the Tourist Reception Area |
| And to the East, at the
General D.D. Eisenhower monument unveiled by General John S.D.
Eisenhower and his family during the ceremonies commemorating the 50th
anniversary of the D-Day landings. |
I
also feel it is important to indicate to you that the American Overseas
Memorial Day Association recently presented one of our associations in
Bayeux, the “Mémoire Liberté Citoyenne” Association, an American
flag for all its actions to foster our duty to remember, and more
particularly for the initiatives it has taken to perpetuate the memory of
those who fought for freedom. This banner is now present at all
commemorative ceremonies held in the town of Bayeux and also at the
American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer.
You
can be sure of our loyal friendship.
Patrick
GOMONT
Mayor
of Bayeux