The Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial

 We arrived at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial around lunchtime, stopped of at the visitor center to use the restroom, and drove across the valley to the memorial chapel. 

Kristi made sandwiches out of the back of the car and we ate them sitting on the curb. 

 14,246  of the 117,000 soldiers killed during Meuse-Argonne are buried here. 

Inside the chapel, writing on the walls commemorates the interred.

I usually don't do grand pronouncements,

But these definitely brought some tears. 

Their Names Will Live For Evermore,

Peaceful Is Their Sleep In God, 

Perpetual Light Upon Them Shines,

In Sacred Sleep They Rest. 

I feel different now, after visiting French battlefields and cemeteries. 

I can't decide if it's humility, gratitude, renewed purpose, or a sense of luck to have been given life, 

When it was taken away so liberally from others. 

Thank you Grandpa Sam.