I have been an out of work teacher since December 17, 2010, when I left my wonderful school in Copperas Cove, Texas and moved to Georgia with my husband. I had subbed in that part of Georgia years before and with my son at home (and the memories of the schools) I decided that I wouldn't pursue subbing there.
After we moved to Belgium, I filled out all the crazy paperwork, then did it again online for the Department of Defense schools (DODs). I subbed some, but not a lot, in the junior high and high school. I was worried to sub in the elementary schools because I didn't want to be stuck in a classroom of 5 year olds all day long.
So, when a half time job came open in the DODs school here, I was excited. It was for the middle and high school, so I wouldn't have the same kids all day long, and it was only half days. 8:30-12:30 every day, fabulous. There was, of course, lots more paperwork, but it was worth it for a job, and a government job at that!
Our school is run by the Department of Defense for the American children of service men and women, but SHAPE is special. We don't have a huge population of Americans here, but we are the majority of the population. DODs has a contract with many of the NATO nations that their children can come to our schools. I don't know how tuition is covered, but it is for most of the countries' military children. Most of the civilian workers pay tuition, unless it is part of their contract. This means that 43% of our school population are International kids.
In my little special education math class, I have 5 students, 3 are Americans, one is British and one is Spanish. This makes differentiation just that much more important and challenging. Teaching fractions with real life implications is only important for 3 of the 5 students, the others will use the metric system for cooking and measuring. When I asked the other kids what they would need fractions for, they both answered similarly, "For math class."
Because our school has 43% International students, and we are not on an American military base, we don't follow the same school schedule that the other American DODs schools do. It's a good and a bad thing, I guess. We started on the 15th of August, the other DODs schools started on the 23rd. Teachers reported earlier than that. Any questions that I had for the hearing impaired teacher or the special ed director had to wait until school was in session, because their duty days hadn't begun yet. That was extremely frustrating. We will get out of school a week later than the other schools as well. BUT, we get a full week off for "All Saints Recess," the week of Halloween, we get a similar sized Christmas Break, another week of in February for the beginning of Lent (locally known as ski week) and two more weeks off in April for spring break. There are also little days off here and there for the students that are religiously based Belgian holidays. All-in-all, I can't complain. Our new students are complaining about not having Thanksgiving off, but who else celebrates it but the Americans? We get off at noon that day. No Black Friday sales to get ready for or football to watch with the 7 hour time difference, so it doesn't bother me.
I can't say that I'm in love with my job yet, but I don't dread getting up in the mornings, and I have had jobs like that before. It's a new age level, a WHOLE new school system and it's going pretty well.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Great People/Great Food
We have been so lucky to have met some fabulous people since we've been at SHAPE. We've had people over to the house, gone to other's homes and even went out in public with our crazy child. My husband had to comment, "Why didn't we do this when we lived in Texas?" We did have friends in Texas, to be honest, we went out more with my friends. I'm pretty sure that was because when my husband had to live with his friends for a year at a time, when they got back to Texas from Iraq, they needed a break from each other.
When we were in Texas, we went out to eat with friends instead of having them to the house. Dinner was so much easier because the house didn't need to be cleaned because we were going out. We didn't have to clean up after dinner and dinner could be a quick affair because in the states, you're not hanging around the restaurant after your plates are taken.
Here in Belgium, dinner is easily a two hour commitment if you go out to eat. Refills are not free, sodas are from 8 ounce bottles and cost more than some beers. The waitstaff takes their time getting to you because they know that you're there to socialize as much as eat. After they come and take your order, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes before your food comes, unless you order a starter, then you can wait longer for your entree.
You will have to flag down the waiter or go to the cash register to ask for your ticket. The staff will NOT bring you the check unless asked for because it is considered rude. They would be rushing you, and that just wouldn't happen, even to Americans. I think that the waitstaff thinks that we are rude if we don't order before dinner drinks, starters, entrees, desserts and after dinner drinks. Why are we in a rush? Isn't the food or restaurant to our liking?
Because of having a very active child that can't handle a 2 hour dinner in public, we have started to have people over almost once a week. Like I've said, we have met great people here, both my husband and I, and we have really started to like entertaining. NOT fancy entertaining, I'm not setting the table and serving the meal, but a nice buffet style dinner that is relaxing. Or we've grilled and sat outside in the few nice days we've had this summer.
We've made some new recipes and have gotten to work together in the kitchen. We've both been forced to clean the house and make it look like the kid only lives in one room of the house instead of having toys in every nook and cranny. We've been looking for healthy ways to make some of our favorite dishes. Our son has been excited to share his toys with friends that come over. We've gotten to play board games that have been hiding for years.
On top of that, we've been invited over to people's homes too and been able to sample some truly delicious meals. The one we had last night was restaurant quality Mexican food and I'm dreaming about it still today.
Our assignment at SHAPE has really helped reshape the way we socialize with new people and friends and has been a blessing to our family. I can honestly say, when we go back to the states, we'll be doing a lot less going out and a lot more having people over.
When we were in Texas, we went out to eat with friends instead of having them to the house. Dinner was so much easier because the house didn't need to be cleaned because we were going out. We didn't have to clean up after dinner and dinner could be a quick affair because in the states, you're not hanging around the restaurant after your plates are taken.
Here in Belgium, dinner is easily a two hour commitment if you go out to eat. Refills are not free, sodas are from 8 ounce bottles and cost more than some beers. The waitstaff takes their time getting to you because they know that you're there to socialize as much as eat. After they come and take your order, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes before your food comes, unless you order a starter, then you can wait longer for your entree.
You will have to flag down the waiter or go to the cash register to ask for your ticket. The staff will NOT bring you the check unless asked for because it is considered rude. They would be rushing you, and that just wouldn't happen, even to Americans. I think that the waitstaff thinks that we are rude if we don't order before dinner drinks, starters, entrees, desserts and after dinner drinks. Why are we in a rush? Isn't the food or restaurant to our liking?
Because of having a very active child that can't handle a 2 hour dinner in public, we have started to have people over almost once a week. Like I've said, we have met great people here, both my husband and I, and we have really started to like entertaining. NOT fancy entertaining, I'm not setting the table and serving the meal, but a nice buffet style dinner that is relaxing. Or we've grilled and sat outside in the few nice days we've had this summer.
We've made some new recipes and have gotten to work together in the kitchen. We've both been forced to clean the house and make it look like the kid only lives in one room of the house instead of having toys in every nook and cranny. We've been looking for healthy ways to make some of our favorite dishes. Our son has been excited to share his toys with friends that come over. We've gotten to play board games that have been hiding for years.
On top of that, we've been invited over to people's homes too and been able to sample some truly delicious meals. The one we had last night was restaurant quality Mexican food and I'm dreaming about it still today.
Our assignment at SHAPE has really helped reshape the way we socialize with new people and friends and has been a blessing to our family. I can honestly say, when we go back to the states, we'll be doing a lot less going out and a lot more having people over.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Stonehenge and Avebury
When we told our daughter that we were moving to Europe last year, the first thing she asked was if we could go see Stonehenge. That trip didn't happen last summer with the move, finding a new house and the husband starting a new job, but, we made it happen this year.
None of my British friends were that excited when I told them that we were going to see Stonehenge on our trip to the UK. Actually, most of them have never seen it themselves, and think that it's overrated. Two of my friends actually suggested many other things that were less preserved and less touristy. Well, we did both.
The weather this summer has been horrible in both Belgium and the United Kingdom, so we have been forced to just don our rain jackets and get on with it. While we made the very rainy drive from London to Stonehenge, we were all pretty quiet. With traffic, it was a much longer drive than we were expecting and we were all very hopeful that the rainy drive was going to be worth it. As we topped a hill on this two lane highway, it all became worth it. On the hill in front of us was Stonehenge, huge, beckoning us to come and see what all they hype was about.
We parked, fed the crabby 4 year old a snack and then shelled out extra money for an annual pass for the English Heritage sights. We picked up our audio guides and followed the small crowd under the highway and up the stairs so we could see Stonehenge. It was so amazing. Our daughter is a pretty mellow girl, but she was absolutely awestruck with the huge, ancient stones. None of us could get over the size of these stones and how truly amazing it was that they were still standing after a few thousand years.
Because of the stones' importance to many, many people, the English Heritage group has given the stones a wide berth from would be souvenir hunters, and the closest we were allowed to come to the main group was about 50 meters. We followed the path around the stones, listening to the audio guide and sharing tidbits that we found interesting. One thing we all found so interesting, but hadn't ever heard before is that there is an "avenue" that was followed from the River Avon up to the site. Between the heel stone and the main stones, it is clearly seen, but in the winter, the path is more easily distinguished from the usual farm fields and sheep pastures.
All four of us thoroughly enjoyed our visit and we excited to stop at the next location, a location that was recommended to me by the Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force. How could we not go?
Avebury, England is also the sight of some pretty massive standing stones. The stones in Avebury are not formed into specific shapes or in as tight as a group, but they are pretty impressive as well. Our son actually asked, "Daddy, why are those rocks growing out of the ground?" And that is exactly what it looks like.
These massive rocks in Avebury comprise 3 stone circles covering a few acres. The thing that we liked about this site is that you can go and walk among the stones and touch them and sit beneath them an ponder just how in the world they got there. The town grew up around the stones, and today, the stones are mostly found in fields and sheep pastures. The gates actually have signs saying that there are animals inside, please keep your dog on a leash and make sure the gate is shut. Really, how fun is that?
This area of England is full of amazing ancient artifacts that have been pretty well taken care of. They aren't pristine and commercial, but they are really, awesome. (to use my son's word of the moment) There was so much to do there, and we knew we had a pretty long drive to get to our next destination, but we will be going back to see more of the fabulous, unexplained places.
Oh yeah, and there are crop circles to go see too (easily explained crop circles, but I find it hilarious that they are there)
None of my British friends were that excited when I told them that we were going to see Stonehenge on our trip to the UK. Actually, most of them have never seen it themselves, and think that it's overrated. Two of my friends actually suggested many other things that were less preserved and less touristy. Well, we did both.
The weather this summer has been horrible in both Belgium and the United Kingdom, so we have been forced to just don our rain jackets and get on with it. While we made the very rainy drive from London to Stonehenge, we were all pretty quiet. With traffic, it was a much longer drive than we were expecting and we were all very hopeful that the rainy drive was going to be worth it. As we topped a hill on this two lane highway, it all became worth it. On the hill in front of us was Stonehenge, huge, beckoning us to come and see what all they hype was about.
We parked, fed the crabby 4 year old a snack and then shelled out extra money for an annual pass for the English Heritage sights. We picked up our audio guides and followed the small crowd under the highway and up the stairs so we could see Stonehenge. It was so amazing. Our daughter is a pretty mellow girl, but she was absolutely awestruck with the huge, ancient stones. None of us could get over the size of these stones and how truly amazing it was that they were still standing after a few thousand years.
Because of the stones' importance to many, many people, the English Heritage group has given the stones a wide berth from would be souvenir hunters, and the closest we were allowed to come to the main group was about 50 meters. We followed the path around the stones, listening to the audio guide and sharing tidbits that we found interesting. One thing we all found so interesting, but hadn't ever heard before is that there is an "avenue" that was followed from the River Avon up to the site. Between the heel stone and the main stones, it is clearly seen, but in the winter, the path is more easily distinguished from the usual farm fields and sheep pastures.
All four of us thoroughly enjoyed our visit and we excited to stop at the next location, a location that was recommended to me by the Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force. How could we not go?
Avebury, England is also the sight of some pretty massive standing stones. The stones in Avebury are not formed into specific shapes or in as tight as a group, but they are pretty impressive as well. Our son actually asked, "Daddy, why are those rocks growing out of the ground?" And that is exactly what it looks like.
These massive rocks in Avebury comprise 3 stone circles covering a few acres. The thing that we liked about this site is that you can go and walk among the stones and touch them and sit beneath them an ponder just how in the world they got there. The town grew up around the stones, and today, the stones are mostly found in fields and sheep pastures. The gates actually have signs saying that there are animals inside, please keep your dog on a leash and make sure the gate is shut. Really, how fun is that?
This area of England is full of amazing ancient artifacts that have been pretty well taken care of. They aren't pristine and commercial, but they are really, awesome. (to use my son's word of the moment) There was so much to do there, and we knew we had a pretty long drive to get to our next destination, but we will be going back to see more of the fabulous, unexplained places.
Oh yeah, and there are crop circles to go see too (easily explained crop circles, but I find it hilarious that they are there)
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Ferry vs Tunnel
With our daughter here from the States, we decided to take a small vacation to England. My husband had been there before with the wrestling team, but hadn't gotten to do any sight seeing. We were told that for the first time, to take the ferry from Calais or Dunkirk, France up to Dover so we could see the White Cliffs of Dover, then take the Eurotunnel home.
Once the ferry takes off, it's about 90 minutes from coast to coast. You follow the signs to the right place and go through the passport stops for England and France then queue up and wait in line to drive up on the huge ferry boat. Easy enough. I believe the ferry had 3 floors to park on, and 3 more floors to shop, eat and relax. Pretty sweet set-up. The shop is a duty-free shop, so there were some good deals there, if you wanted to pay English pounds and suffer the exchange rate.
There was a small kids area with a video playing and some tables with games that were bolted to the floor. A couple of coffee shops and a cafe to purchase snacks, or you can bring your own. Wall to wall windows to so you could look out and see the scenery, in this case, the cliffs bobbing up and down with the waves in the torrential downpour.
The ferry was nice, and about $30 cheaper than the tunnel, but with the weather that we were having, all the movement of the ferry through the waves was making me wish I had brought sea sickness patch or something. The kids were fine, but the husband and I were a bit queasy.
We took the tunnel on the way back. This, to me, is an amazing piece of technology and engineering, a giant tunnel, big enough for a double decker train to drive under the English Channel. (I was kinda geeking out about it, which I don't usually do) The only thing that could have made this cooler is if part of it were in plexiglass so you could have seen the water. There were several locations to see a departure board that told you when your train was queuing up and loading, and with 2 trains every hour, it was very easy to catch a different train if you wanted to leave earlier or later.
From the time we queued up, to the time we were on the train was 20 minutes and from the time we drove on the train until we got to the France side was 40 minutes. It took only 25 minutes of drive time. 25 minutes and the train was not bobbing up and down, it was smooth riding. I'm not a claustrophobic person, but even if I was, I think it would have been ok. You ride in your own car on the train, you can get off, but other than a restroom, there really isn't anywhere to go. We just stayed in the car and read our books.
While the tunnel is more expensive, it is worth the money to me. The queues are shorter because there are so many departure times, the trip is an hour quicker and you don't have to worry about barfing because the beautiful cliffs are moving up and down on the horizon.
Once the ferry takes off, it's about 90 minutes from coast to coast. You follow the signs to the right place and go through the passport stops for England and France then queue up and wait in line to drive up on the huge ferry boat. Easy enough. I believe the ferry had 3 floors to park on, and 3 more floors to shop, eat and relax. Pretty sweet set-up. The shop is a duty-free shop, so there were some good deals there, if you wanted to pay English pounds and suffer the exchange rate.
There was a small kids area with a video playing and some tables with games that were bolted to the floor. A couple of coffee shops and a cafe to purchase snacks, or you can bring your own. Wall to wall windows to so you could look out and see the scenery, in this case, the cliffs bobbing up and down with the waves in the torrential downpour.
The ferry was nice, and about $30 cheaper than the tunnel, but with the weather that we were having, all the movement of the ferry through the waves was making me wish I had brought sea sickness patch or something. The kids were fine, but the husband and I were a bit queasy.
We took the tunnel on the way back. This, to me, is an amazing piece of technology and engineering, a giant tunnel, big enough for a double decker train to drive under the English Channel. (I was kinda geeking out about it, which I don't usually do) The only thing that could have made this cooler is if part of it were in plexiglass so you could have seen the water. There were several locations to see a departure board that told you when your train was queuing up and loading, and with 2 trains every hour, it was very easy to catch a different train if you wanted to leave earlier or later.
From the time we queued up, to the time we were on the train was 20 minutes and from the time we drove on the train until we got to the France side was 40 minutes. It took only 25 minutes of drive time. 25 minutes and the train was not bobbing up and down, it was smooth riding. I'm not a claustrophobic person, but even if I was, I think it would have been ok. You ride in your own car on the train, you can get off, but other than a restroom, there really isn't anywhere to go. We just stayed in the car and read our books.
While the tunnel is more expensive, it is worth the money to me. The queues are shorter because there are so many departure times, the trip is an hour quicker and you don't have to worry about barfing because the beautiful cliffs are moving up and down on the horizon.
Summer in Belgium, 2012
This summer has not been much of a summer. We have had nothing but rain, rain and more rain. On the days that we do get some sunshine (some) it ends up raining. My least favorite thing about this weather pattern, is that it seems to rain all day long, and at 8:00 after my son is in bed, the skies clear and the sun comes out. I love Belgium, but I'm beginning to feel a bit moldy.
We have had a few nice days, where the sun has been out all day and there is a small chance of getting a sunburn, I mean suntan. Those days are usually tampered by a strong breeze that keeps the temps down below 75, but I'd take more if they were offered.
Maybe late July and August will prove to be a bit more summer like. And I'm not the only one complaining, some friends that have been here over 8 years have said that this is the rainiest summer and coolest that they can remember since getting here. So, it's not just me.
We have had a few nice days, where the sun has been out all day and there is a small chance of getting a sunburn, I mean suntan. Those days are usually tampered by a strong breeze that keeps the temps down below 75, but I'd take more if they were offered.
Maybe late July and August will prove to be a bit more summer like. And I'm not the only one complaining, some friends that have been here over 8 years have said that this is the rainiest summer and coolest that they can remember since getting here. So, it's not just me.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Garmisch in the summer....
Our daughter is here, so we thought we'd take out two birds with one stone and take her to see Garmish and let the husband do the Ride The Alps motorcycle tour. We had the trip planned for a few months and were very excited.
We started the trip out by going to Ramstein, about an 3.5 hour drive in beautiful weather. We got a later start than we hoped, but still go there early enough to do a little shopping, have dinner at a great little Mexican place and let the son play.
Friday morning we took off for Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in the rain. My husband had some wet weather gear, but after a few kilometers, he learned that it wasn't so much water resistant or water proof. He and his riding buddy spent the day soaked on the motorcycles following traffic for the better part of 6 hours. It was miserable.
Friday evening we got to Edelweiss and the men went to the BBQ for the motorcycle riders, and the kids and I tried out the game room and then dinner at the sports bar. A real cheeseburger and fries was very much needed and this place makes a pretty good one. At least, when you've been away from the states for a year, it tasted good. Then I took off and treated myself to a much needed massage and the kids went to the pool. Everyone was exhausted and crashed early.
Saturday they men went out for their 2nd wet ride of the weekend and were able to see some neat places, despite the rain. It was suppose to be a poker run, but they had to make a detour because of a bike race and didn't get to all the places. I don't think they cared, because they beat us back to the lodge even after checking out downtown Garmisch.
While the men were out riding in the rain, the kids and I took a bus tour to Neuschwanstein Castle in southwest Germany. It was just beautiful. King Ludwig II was a bit eccentric and spent lots of money building this gorgeous castle in the last 1800s. Even though he was alive for the building of this castle, he only lived in it for 172 days before he and his psychiatrist died mysteriously. Only 6 weeks after his death, it was opened to the public for tours to help pay back King Ludwig's debts and his been open most of the time since. Even though the weather wasn't lovely, it stopped raining while we were there and we had a good time. My son was quite taken by the padded "throne" surrounding the toilet and that's probably the only thing he remembers about the castle tour. Boys.
We finished our little vacation with a very wet ride on Sunday back to Ramstein that took 8 hours. With the rain, the traffic and the road construction, the trip took a whole lot longer than it needed too. Next time, like I did the first time I was there, we'll take the train or a cheap flight to Munich and then the train from there. That being said, my usually active, loud, less than ideal traveler was wonderful in the car the entire trip, so no complaints there. Really, no complaints about the weekend. The kids and I were warm and dry in the car and the husband got through it safely and now has plenty of wet weather driving experience on the motorcycle.
I love Garmish and the whole Bavarian region of Germany, I can't wait until we can get back again.
We started the trip out by going to Ramstein, about an 3.5 hour drive in beautiful weather. We got a later start than we hoped, but still go there early enough to do a little shopping, have dinner at a great little Mexican place and let the son play.
Friday morning we took off for Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in the rain. My husband had some wet weather gear, but after a few kilometers, he learned that it wasn't so much water resistant or water proof. He and his riding buddy spent the day soaked on the motorcycles following traffic for the better part of 6 hours. It was miserable.
Friday evening we got to Edelweiss and the men went to the BBQ for the motorcycle riders, and the kids and I tried out the game room and then dinner at the sports bar. A real cheeseburger and fries was very much needed and this place makes a pretty good one. At least, when you've been away from the states for a year, it tasted good. Then I took off and treated myself to a much needed massage and the kids went to the pool. Everyone was exhausted and crashed early.
Saturday they men went out for their 2nd wet ride of the weekend and were able to see some neat places, despite the rain. It was suppose to be a poker run, but they had to make a detour because of a bike race and didn't get to all the places. I don't think they cared, because they beat us back to the lodge even after checking out downtown Garmisch.
While the men were out riding in the rain, the kids and I took a bus tour to Neuschwanstein Castle in southwest Germany. It was just beautiful. King Ludwig II was a bit eccentric and spent lots of money building this gorgeous castle in the last 1800s. Even though he was alive for the building of this castle, he only lived in it for 172 days before he and his psychiatrist died mysteriously. Only 6 weeks after his death, it was opened to the public for tours to help pay back King Ludwig's debts and his been open most of the time since. Even though the weather wasn't lovely, it stopped raining while we were there and we had a good time. My son was quite taken by the padded "throne" surrounding the toilet and that's probably the only thing he remembers about the castle tour. Boys.
We finished our little vacation with a very wet ride on Sunday back to Ramstein that took 8 hours. With the rain, the traffic and the road construction, the trip took a whole lot longer than it needed too. Next time, like I did the first time I was there, we'll take the train or a cheap flight to Munich and then the train from there. That being said, my usually active, loud, less than ideal traveler was wonderful in the car the entire trip, so no complaints there. Really, no complaints about the weekend. The kids and I were warm and dry in the car and the husband got through it safely and now has plenty of wet weather driving experience on the motorcycle.
I love Garmish and the whole Bavarian region of Germany, I can't wait until we can get back again.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Memorial Day Service at Ardennes American Cemetery
My family went to the Memorial Day Service yesterday at Ardennes American Cemetery, and were so humbled. My husband is one of the adult leaders of the Boy Scouts here and they participated in the laying of the wreaths, so he was busy at this service and another later in the day.
Driving up to the cemetery, you see an amazing, huge cube with an eagle done in relief style jutting out of the front. The names of the missing are on slabs around the main monument. Behind the monument are the graves of over 5,000 American servicemen. I have never been to Arlington, but I have seen photos and footage, but I was in no way prepared for the impressive, saddening expanse of white crosses. Every one of them had an American and a Belgian flag in front of it. Volunteers of all ages helped prepare the graves for the memorial service.
At the time of WWII, Belgium was not allowed to have an official army, but there were many resistance fighters. Since the war, they have been recognized as fighters for the war effort. Many of the survivors from the area were at the service with their Belgian flags flying, wearing their berets and pins and jackets with patches. My husband and I think that the flags were decorated differently to show the different Veteran's groups they represented. Just seeing all the courageous men and thinking of how young they must have been and how lucky they are to have been able to live through the war to be at the cemetery for this service brought tears to my eyes. There were at least 50 men there to show their respect. At the second service that my husband attended, he said there were at least 300 Belgian Veterans there.
There were many speakers, both Belgian and American, including the Ambassador to Belgium and the King's Representative. The couple that my husband was with for the second service said that they've lived all over Europe and that the relationship that the Belgians and Americans have from the wars is really something special to behold. They said that the other European countries don't thank the Americans for their part in the war. My husband and I don't have anything to judge it by, but we both so impressed with the amount of non-Americans at the services. The vast majority of the people at the services at these American Cemeteries were not Americans.
The A-10s from Spangdahlem AFB flew over in the Missing Man formation. They had at least 10 beautiful wreaths that were displayed and the speakers were pretty good. They played a version of Taps that I hadn't heard before that used the whole band. It was easier for me to listen to than just the horn version. Or worse, the horn version with the echo. I was expecting the ugly cry, but the use of the band made the song less haunting and heart wrenching. It was just a beautiful service.
I already understand, from a spouse's perspective, what our service members sacrifice, even during times of war. But our wars going on today are different. I can have a good pity party that my spouse will be deployed for a year or 15 months at a time, but at least we can see the end. We had communication that was easy and pretty consistent. Warfare is completely different today, not less or more difficult and dangerous, but different. The service members and their families had no idea where they were going, what they were going to be seeing or doing, with no consistent communication opportunities and often no end in sight. The sacrifices seem, more, to me, somehow. Being able to attend this Memorial Service, and hopefully more in the future, helps me see the respect and appreciation that one generation can have for another, that one culture can have for another. That the respect and appreciation of all those sacrifices that those who volunteer their lives for this military career do not go unnoticed. (not that recognition is what they are going for)
Driving up to the cemetery, you see an amazing, huge cube with an eagle done in relief style jutting out of the front. The names of the missing are on slabs around the main monument. Behind the monument are the graves of over 5,000 American servicemen. I have never been to Arlington, but I have seen photos and footage, but I was in no way prepared for the impressive, saddening expanse of white crosses. Every one of them had an American and a Belgian flag in front of it. Volunteers of all ages helped prepare the graves for the memorial service.
At the time of WWII, Belgium was not allowed to have an official army, but there were many resistance fighters. Since the war, they have been recognized as fighters for the war effort. Many of the survivors from the area were at the service with their Belgian flags flying, wearing their berets and pins and jackets with patches. My husband and I think that the flags were decorated differently to show the different Veteran's groups they represented. Just seeing all the courageous men and thinking of how young they must have been and how lucky they are to have been able to live through the war to be at the cemetery for this service brought tears to my eyes. There were at least 50 men there to show their respect. At the second service that my husband attended, he said there were at least 300 Belgian Veterans there.
There were many speakers, both Belgian and American, including the Ambassador to Belgium and the King's Representative. The couple that my husband was with for the second service said that they've lived all over Europe and that the relationship that the Belgians and Americans have from the wars is really something special to behold. They said that the other European countries don't thank the Americans for their part in the war. My husband and I don't have anything to judge it by, but we both so impressed with the amount of non-Americans at the services. The vast majority of the people at the services at these American Cemeteries were not Americans.
The A-10s from Spangdahlem AFB flew over in the Missing Man formation. They had at least 10 beautiful wreaths that were displayed and the speakers were pretty good. They played a version of Taps that I hadn't heard before that used the whole band. It was easier for me to listen to than just the horn version. Or worse, the horn version with the echo. I was expecting the ugly cry, but the use of the band made the song less haunting and heart wrenching. It was just a beautiful service.
I already understand, from a spouse's perspective, what our service members sacrifice, even during times of war. But our wars going on today are different. I can have a good pity party that my spouse will be deployed for a year or 15 months at a time, but at least we can see the end. We had communication that was easy and pretty consistent. Warfare is completely different today, not less or more difficult and dangerous, but different. The service members and their families had no idea where they were going, what they were going to be seeing or doing, with no consistent communication opportunities and often no end in sight. The sacrifices seem, more, to me, somehow. Being able to attend this Memorial Service, and hopefully more in the future, helps me see the respect and appreciation that one generation can have for another, that one culture can have for another. That the respect and appreciation of all those sacrifices that those who volunteer their lives for this military career do not go unnoticed. (not that recognition is what they are going for)
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