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Monday, November 25, 2013

Our World Tuesday: grateful in France

Two weeks ago, for Remembrance Day, I wrote about my mother's cousin Henry Hector MacKenzie, Jr., a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot who was shot down over France in World War II.
A few years ago, the remains of Harry's plane were found in a field north of Paris. They were taken in and restored by local residents, who used serial numbers to link plane and pilot via RCAF archives.
The town of Sacy-le-Grand, France, thereafter decided to name a street in Harry's honour. Mother's cousin Ian and his wife, Audrey, went with other members of the MacKenzie family to France for naming of MacKenzie Street.
After Remembrance Day this year, Ian forwarded me an e-mail he and Audrey received from one of the men who had found the airplane parts.
In France, they take World War II heroes very seriously, as we can see here: This year's e-mail included these colour photos of a Remembrance Day ceremony in Sacy-le-Grand, a place now very much a part of "our world" to the MacKenzie clan.






This photo (right) of Harry can be seen in the picture above, in the weather-protected display with his plane's engine and part of the propellor, cleaned, polished and painted by the people of a grateful nation.

Posted for Our World Tuesday


16 comments:

Unknown said...

Wonderful post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River.

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

The French are so often portrayed quite opposite of the way you've stated the facts here. It is nice to see the positive.

kaykuala said...

A hero in the family. So dramatic and so touching. The MacKenzies can be so proud that Henry is bestowed with honor and a final resting place. Thanks for sharing Kay!

Hank

Cynthia said...

What a wonderful and uplifting story! A great tribute to a brave young man who gave his life for others. Thanks for sharing.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Kay, what a remarkable story! What a handsome young man. Amazing to have parts of his plane discovered so recently. And lovely that a tribute to honor him has been made there. Wonderful story!

Kay said...

This is such a beautiful post, Kay. I love it that the French are so appreciative of the sacrifice he made. Your family has every reason to be proud.

Fun60 said...

What a wonderful tribute to one of the many unsung heroes of WW2

Reader Wil said...

Great piece of history! A very impressive story. Thank you Kay! It should be told every year,lest we forget.
Have a great week together with your husband.

Phil Slade said...

That's wonderful story Kay. So young.

Carver said...

Wonderful post for remembrance day.

Anonymous said...

So moving, so lovely -- so young. But it is really wonderful that the French do this. Thanks so very much for sharing these photos and remembrance. k.

magiceye said...

Well deserved homage

Jenn Jilks said...

You know, hubby found a tomb stone overseas for his uncle. Just amazing, this history.

Mara said...

Such a lovely thing to do. I have been to some of the WWII graves and sites in Normandy (two years ago) and was very impressed by it all. And it's true: they do honour the people that came and liberated them!

Gattina said...

That's a great post ! Unfortunately you have to die first to get some honors ! But at least it's a comfort for the whole family !

eileeninmd said...

Great story, Kay! It is cool to have a Hero in the family and received honors for his bravery.