Don't worry,its not an 'I want' poll! (1 Viewer)

[OzDigger]

Sorry Rob, I voted against taking the sand for a variety of reasons, and I think you would have got more No votes if it was a secret poll. Those beaches have cultural significance for several countries, especially the owners (France). I just don't think it's the right thing to do.

 

[old tank]

ROB. You seem to me as a fellow with a BIG HEART. I dont think the guys that crossed the beach and the ones that did not make it would mind. MY thoughts ROB. CHEERS.

 

[Louis Badolato]

If your intent is to honor the brave men who fought, and in many cases made the supreme sacrifice, on those Normandy beaches, then it does not matter what any of the rest of us think, you are honoring them with your display. And, as you were generous enough to send me sand from Omaha Beach, I proudly display it in my Normandy Display, right across the room from my Iwo Jima Display, where, thanks to the generosity of our good friend Rick (Panzer), a United States Marine Lt. Colonel, I have an Urn full of black sand hallowed by the blood of brave U.S. Marines. No Marine or other Veteran who has visited my Museum has ever taken umbrage to my displays, and I highly doubt any would take umbrage to yours.

 

[OzDigger]

If your intent is to honor the brave men who fought, and in many cases made the supreme sacrifice, on those Normandy beaches, then it does not matter what any of the rest of us think, you are honoring them with your display. And, as you were generous enough to send me sand from Omaha Beach, I proudly display it in my Normandy Display, right across the room from my Iwo Jima Display, where, thanks to the generosity of our good friend Rick (Panzer), a United States Marine Lt. Colonel, I have an Urn full of black sand hallowed by the blood of brave U.S. Marines. No Marine or other Veteran who has visited my Museum has ever taken umbrage to my displays, and I highly doubt any would take umbrage to yours.

Imo it does honor those men and I can't see how it could be considered as being in poor taste. Therefore on a personal level I agree. However, I am thinking more in terms of it possibly being an offense under some French law as the sand comes from a culturally important area and may be part of a National Park or Memorial.

 

[Grognard]

I voted no...To be clear not for the (good) intention of that gesture but for the fact that I think it's not appropriate to take a part of an historical site with you especially when people put some historical value on that part. Think about people taking with them a stone from a French castle or a chunk of the Eiffel tower. I was born in France in the Loire valley (where the French Renaissance châteaux are) and I always felt offended when I saw people carving their names in a 14th century wall...I know it's not exactly the same visual impact than taking a bag of sand but somewhere it affects what makes that place special.

 

[Rob]

Guys,again I thank you all.I really appreciate you all taking the time to give me your thoughts whichever way you voted,its very interesting to read all the viewpoints.I hope (and do believe)that you know I would never intend to offend either Veteran or French citizen and I understand this is not a straight forward question,so your help in this is very kind.

Thanks

Rob

 

[spartan71]

This is possibly, the toughest topic. to respond to, And as pretty much, what everyone has said.And in reading some of your opinions, I know you are a great guy, Rob.
I did not vote on this one. Because, maybe in voting. I may be voting the wrong vote.
The sands in the beaches of Normandy, Where so much blood was spilled. Has had wave after wave of water to wash over it. and if not forThe people that lives there, To tell the story.; It would be like any other beach. If not for those people that remembered to tell the story, to everyone else. it would be just any other beach. But there is something else that remembers.
Its the sands of Normandy, that remembers. Of How Much Blood was spilled, Even though there is no more sign of blood, the blood is still there at the very core of each grain of Sand. For anyone to take even a grain of it, Maybe dishonors a part of the person that bled on it, or maybe makes a part of it incomplete.
Just my thoughts.

 

[Rob]

This is possibly, the toughest topic. to respond to, And as pretty much, what everyone has said.And in reading some of your opinions, I know you are a great guy, Rob.
I did not vote on this one. Because, maybe in voting. I may be voting the wrong vote.
The sands in the beaches of Normandy, Where so much blood was spilled. Has had wave after wave of water to wash over it. and if not forThe people that lives there, To tell the story.; It would be like any other beach. If not for those people that remembered to tell the story, to everyone else. it would be just any other beach. But there is something else that remembers.
Its the sands of Normandy, that remembers. Of How Much Blood was spilled, Even though there is no more sign of blood, the blood is still there at the very core of each grain of Sand. For anyone to take even a grain of it, Maybe dishonors a part of the person that bled on it, or maybe makes a part of it incomplete.
Just my thoughts.

Thank you Spartan71,your thoughts are very welcome and appreciated,and I do understand your viewpoint here.

Can I also say guys how cool it is to able to have this conversation with you all,to be able to come on here and ask my friends,experts and fellow collectors what they think about my own small moral question,well its what this forum does best!

Rob

 

[OzDigger]

I voted no...To be clear not for the (good) intention of that gesture but for the fact that I think it's not appropriate to take a part of an historical site with you especially when people put some historical value on that part. Think about people taking with them a stone from a French castle or a chunk of the Eiffel tower. I was born in France in the Loire valley (where the French Renaissance châteaux are) and I always felt offended when I saw people carving their names in a 14th century wall...I know it's not exactly the same visual impact than taking a bag of sand but somewhere it affects what makes that place special.

Thank you Grognard, this is the point I have been trying to make in my own clumsy way. I wonder if they sell small portions of the sand at the museums or whatever they have there?

 

[lancer]

It is my feeling that history must be remembered and each individual will remember in their own way. Putting the sand in a display is a good way to always remember the events. Every time you look at that display, you will be reminded of the events, thus keeping the sacrifices and battle alive in your heart. What better way to honor those men? It is a memorial of sorts. You will be keeping the event alive. History dies if forgotten. Just my two cents worth. -- Al

 

[Rob]

It is my feeling that history must be remembered and each individual will remember in their own way. Putting the sand in a display is a good way to always remember the events. Every time you look at that display, you will be reminded of the events, thus keeping the sacrifices and battle alive in your heart. What better way to honor those men? It is a memorial of sorts. You will be keeping the event alive. History dies if forgotten. Just my two cents worth. -- Al

Thanks Al,thats exactly my idea for this dio.Its all about a tribute and god strike me down if I ever meant any offence,however I do also understand the point Oz and others are making.

Rob

 

[Spitfrnd]

I voted no...To be clear not for the (good) intention of that gesture but for the fact that I think it's not appropriate to take a part of an historical site with you especially when people put some historical value on that part. Think about people taking with them a stone from a French castle or a chunk of the Eiffel tower. I was born in France in the Loire valley (where the French Renaissance châteaux are) and I always felt offended when I saw people carving their names in a 14th century wall...I know it's not exactly the same visual impact than taking a bag of sand but somewhere it affects what makes that place special.

Well I am afraid you'd have to talk to the wind, waves and tides about that mate since they have already swept those spots clean and will replace anything taken in a matter on minutes. It is not remotely comparable to taking something from a wall or tower or chateaux. Those beaches were different in days after D-Day and 65 years later you would have to dig pretty deep away from the water line to find the soil that was there in 1944.

 

[lancer]

Well I am afraid you'd have to talk to the wind, waves and tides about that mate since they have already swept those spots clean and will replace anything taken in a matter on minutes. It is not remotely comparable to taking something from a wall or tower or chateaux. Those beaches were different in days after D-Day and 65 years later you would have to dig pretty deep away from the water line to find the soil that was there in 1944.

Don't dig too deep though. You will likely find one or more landmines down there. They sowed something like 6 million. Now that is one memento you don't want! -- lancer

 

[Rob]

Don't dig too deep though. You will likely find one or more landmines down there. They sowed something like 6 million. Now that is one memento you don't want! -- lancer

When I was last there the curator of one of the museums was showing me a US Flame thrower that the beach had just given up,it was in almost perfect condition,couldn't help wondering what happened to the guy carrying it.

Rob

 

[Grognard]

Well I am afraid you'd have to talk to the wind, waves and tides about that mate since they have already swept those spots clean and will replace anything taken in a matter on minutes. It is not remotely comparable to taking something from a wall or tower or chateaux. Those beaches were different in days after D-Day and 65 years later you would have to dig pretty deep away from the water line to find the soil that was there in 1944.

I am not sure I am following you here but there is no need to argue. It's what happened there that makes that beach special not which layer of sand was there 65 years ago. The sand is part of the beach like a stone is part of a castle. You can replace a stone by another one from the same quarry to maintain/restaure a castle (we do that on French castles all the time) but with the goal to keep the architecture and style unchanged from the original. The same is true with the beach sand which gets created/renewed with tides and waves all the time. However any damaging alteration of any historical place affects its integrity IMO.

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

I am considering doing a D Day dio using the two differently numbered K&C LCA's.I have sand from the beaches in Normandy,what I'd like to ask you guys is if you think its ok to use it in a beach dio.Do you see it as a tribute or do you think its in bad taste and I shouldn't do it.I'm having trouble making my mind up.

Your votes and opinions would be much appreciated in this 'Moral Poll'.

Rob

Hi Rob I think it would be great for you to do a diorama with the sands from those great battles.I wish I had some and if you are going back over the channel could you get a small bottle of sand for me so I could display it with my collection.Love the idea.Simmo.

 

[Rob]

Hi Rob I think it would be great for you to do a diorama with the sands from those great battles.I wish I had some and if you are going back over the channel could you get a small bottle of sand for me so I could display it with my collection.Love the idea.Simmo.

Thanks Simmo and no problem,consider it done.

Rob

 

[wayne556517]

After all this mate we better get some good pics,sand and all.............

 

[Rob]

After all this mate we better get some good pics,sand and all.............

LOL!

Can you imagine if I now said, 'You know what, I think I'll do a North Africa dio'!!

Rob

 

[Phantom Warrior]

LOL!

Can you imagine if I now said, 'You know what, I think I'll do a North Africa dio'!!

Rob

There would be more sand to choose from

Terry