A tribute to the unknown soldier by Kim Stijger

About "A tribute to the unknown soldier"

by Kim Stijger

About the artwork

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial holds the names of 9,387 US soldiers who gave their lives during World War II. The headstones, white and tightly arranged in rows, are a powerful symbol of the courage and sacrifice these men brought to liberate Europe. The headstone in the picture shows one of the many heroes, with the inscription "Here rests in honoured glory a comrade in arms known but to God." These words mean: "Here rests in honoured glory a comrade in arms known only to God." This text reflects both the homage to the fallen soldier and the anonymity of his ultimate sacrifice, which can only be fully understood by God.

The headstones are the physical manifestation of the sacrifices made by these young soldiers, many of them barely older than teenage years. They fought on D-Day, the day that opened the door to the liberation of Europe, a battle that cost thousands of lives. It is a place of remembrance, but also of tribute. General Roosevelt, the son of the US president, is buried here, as are thousands of other soldiers who gave their lives for the freedom of others.

The cemetery now exudes a serene calm, with the ocean gently lapping the shore and the white crosses standing in perfect rows. It is a powerful reminder of the brave men who gave their lives for a better future. This place, steeped in history, calls for silence and reflection, a tribute to their sacrifice and the freedom they secured.