Belleau Wood

After a weekend touring the D-Day beaches and the North of France with my parents, I came back to Paris and they went on to Champagne. However, I was able to take Friday off and jumped on an early morning train to Château-Thierry My parents met me at the station and we headed to the Château-Thierry American Monument and the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery located in Belleau Wood. 

Old home in Belleau

The Belleau area is very important to the US Marines, especially my brother's regiment, the 3/6, which fought there. The battle was significant because it stopped the German advance to Paris, only about an hour's drive away. More Marines were killed in action and wounded on the first day of the battle of Belleau Wood (1,087) than in all previous engagements combined. However, the battle not only proved the embodiment of the USMC through their determination and dedication but was also the catalyst for the Marine Corps we know today.

The Château-Thierry American Monument commemorates the soldiers who fought in the region during WWI. Located on a hill, it provides striking views of its surroundings. The Monument's inscriptions are in both French and English and they tell the story of the battles fought in the region. On the front of the memorial is the American Eagle and a large map that depicts the battles in the area. 

Château-Thierry American Monument

We then headed to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery. This cemetery was smaller than Normandy but very moving. The Aisne-Marne cemetery is located on the foot of the hill where the Battle of Belleau was fought and those who are laid to rest died at the Battle of Belleau and the Battle of Chateau Thierry. That morning I was able to pick up roses so that we could lay them by some of the graves. 

The Cemetery & the Chapel's stained glass windows

A Memorial Chapel is located in the center of the cemetery with the name of all those who have not been found inscribed on the walls. Walking into the chapel and being surrounded by all of their names was very powerful.

Panoramic of the inside of the chapel

 
Located not far from the cemetery is the Devil Dog Fountain at Belleau. When the Marines took Belleau Wood from the Germans in June 1918, the Germans had begun to call them Teufelhunden or "Devil Dogs," a name that is still used today. When the Marines entered the deserted village they found the bull dog fountain with fresh water. The fountain helped solidify the devil dogs name and their mascot, a bull dog in a WWI helmet was born. Legend has that if a Marine drinks from the fountain he will gain 20 years to his life. We obviously bottled some water up for James to drink! 

With the Bull dog fountain

After our tour of Belleau and the surrounding area we headed back to Paris for the night. The rest of the weekend went quickly! We spent the rest of the day and all day Saturday walking around. Sadly, my parents didn't get to enjoy Spring time in Paris weather, as it poured, but a little rain never hurts, right?! My parents left Sunday morning after their last French breakfast of croissants and coffee. I really enjoyed our trip and loved having them here! See you both in a few short months on the other side of the pond!

Saturday night in Paris