'Resting under the shade of the tree', a photo from Basse-Normandie, North

Photographer's Note

On June 8, 1944, the U.S. First Army established a temporary cemetery, the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. After the war, the present-day cemetery was established a short distance to the east of the original site.

Like all other overseas American cemeteries in France for World War I and II, France has granted the United States a special, perpetual concession to the land occupied by the cemetery, free of any charge or any tax. This cemetery is managed by the American government, under Congressional acts that provide yearly financial support for maintaining them, with most military and civil personnel employed abroad. The U.S. flag flies over these granted soils.

The cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer is located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach (one of the landing beaches of the Normandy Invasion) and the English Channel. It covers 70 ha (172 acres), and contains the remains of 9,387 American military dead, most of whom were killed during the invasion of Normandy and ensuing military operations in World War II. Included are graves of Army Air Corps crews shot down over France as early as 1942.

Extracted from an article on Wikipedea entitled Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.

Budapestman, delpeoples, timecapturer, jlbrthnn, Cricri has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Budapestman (82620) 2012-09-28 2:37

Hi Stephen,
a beautiful photo with splendid title and very nice composition, I like the elegiac lights and the attractive colours. Superb note once more, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet k癉嫕ok!
Gy顤gy

delpeoples (60342) 2012-09-28 3:41

Hi Stephen

Another very sombre image, the overcast conditions seem to be going out in sympathy with it. I like how the green lawn is so illuminated by the grey conditions and the white crosses (my God, look at them all!) make an impressive though saddening perspective. Great shot, with alot impact.

Have a lovely Friday
Lisa

timecapturer (49288) 2012-09-28 4:00

Hi Stephen
a striking and thought provoking image this. So many sacrifices so that we can live the lives we now lead. An evocative and beautifully peaceful capture, with exquisite colours and detail.

Have a great weekend - Brian.

mjw364 (1466) 2012-09-28 5:12

Hello Stephen

A thoughtful and respectful image. Strong composition but that green is a little over-saturated on my eye... maybe a more sombre tone in keeping with the mood of the place?

TFS

Mike

Sergiom (117241) 2012-09-28 5:24

Bonjour Stephen,

J'ai un peu de difficult� avec le traitement post production de l'image. Les couleurs ont l'air fausses et il semble manquer de contraste. Mais l'endroit est beau et force le souvenir.

Amicalement

Serge

Fis2 (171823) 2012-09-28 5:26

Witaj Stephen!
Cemetery, sad place and a beautiful symbol of the tree of life.
I like frame and composition.
Excellent warm colors.
Well done.
Have a nice weekend
Krzysztof

jlbrthnn (76043) 2012-09-28 11:36

Bonsoir Stephen,
Ce cimeti鋨e am廨icain, est spectaculaire. L'arbre, dans ce parterre fleuri, est un 幨幦ent int廨essant. Les couleurs sont agr嶧bles. Bonne nettet�. Bravo.
Bonne soir嶪
Amicalement
Jo螔

Highmountains (2674) 2012-09-28 12:43

Beautiful POV to get the excellent conical dome like shape of the tree. The lush green and the neat rows of white crosses which appears as a lne from POV is well taken and this makes the composition so balanced and elegant.
Nice saturation of white and green colours.
Thanks for sharing.

Nicou (193814) 2012-09-28 22:14

Hello

tr鋊 bel hommage et compo de ce cimeti鋨e ces soldats qui nous ont lib廨廥, avec le bel arbre quelle mise en valeur.
Bravo et amiti�
Nicou

dkmurphys (79209) 2012-09-29 6:06

Hi Stephen,
Nice image with the well observed graphical effect of the white crosses.
Have a nice day.

Daniel

Cricri (176) 2012-09-29 11:48

Hi Stephen
Un bel hommage a toutes ces victimes, triste de voir autant de croix blanches sur le vert lumineux, belle pr廥entation avec l'arbre et le parterre de fleurs rouges, belle pr廥entation
Bon Weekend
cricri