Comin’ Home

Wednesday, 23 March

The flight home was nearly uneventful. We flew from London, to Detroit and then on to Phoenix. While clearing customs in Detroit, we were asked, “Are you bringing any tobacco or liquor?” Then the agent looked at our name tags, and said, “I suppose the answer would be NO!”

We were just 50 minutes late leaving Detroit. (Pilots were late from their connecting flight).

It wasn’t hard finding our family in Phoenix!

Braxton Allen couldn’t wait to hug his Grandma. (I think the feeling was mutual).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The grandkids queued up to see Grandpa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gerry had a wonderful surprise awaiting her. Her son Lee Allen and his wife Rachel are expecting a baby girl in June. They really know how to keep a secret!

 

 

 

Upon seeing Rachel, people in Tucson reported hearing  Gerry’s enthusiastic yell! This will be their third, and our 10th grandchild.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jim’s son and daughter – Chris & Jacque + their children

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Words escape me! It’s Maddie Price (Chris’ youngest) and Bryson Allen (Lee’s youngest).

Gerry, Tyson and Maddie

Hey, anyone hungry? Grandpa is Buyin’. Yes sir, all accepted, and we all went to dinner at Joe’s Barbeque in Gilbert. Then, we rushed to meet with our Stake President, President Heyman, at 9:00 PM. There, in his home, we were released.

When we finally hit the hay, we had been awake for 26 hours.

Friday, 25 March

It’s high time that Gerry paid a visit to her mom in Pima, Arizona, in the Gila Valley. She’s 89! We also attended the Gila Valley Temple (it was dedicated while we were in London). It is a very busy and beautiful temple. The Temple President, Keith Crockett, Gerry’s former Stake President, gave us a wonderful tour. The Gila Valley was settled by Mormon pioneers in 1879, and they now raise cotton, alfalfa, barley, and cattle. I realized that I wasn’t in London anymore at the temple. There, I heard men talk about farm equipment and fertilizing techniques.

Sunday, 27 March

Gerry and I talked in Sacrament meeting. Lots of family and friends were there, including Mike and Kella Scott, with whom we had served in the London Family History Centre. After the meeting, we quietly removed our missionary badges for the last time.

Gerry has a calling, and will be sustained on 10 April. The Bishop would like to give me a calling, but the Stake has dibs on me. They are being very kind, waiting for me to take care of our affairs.

Friday, 1 April

It’s been nine days since we returned to Arizona. We’re whittling away on the long list of things to do. Our airplane is receiving it’s annual inspection and she will be ready to fly on Monday, 4 April. Now I just need to have a flight review with an instructor. Hopefully, I will be able to figure out all those gauges and instruments.

We’re looking forward to watching all four sessions of General Conference this weekend – live!

CHANGE 1: SPEAKING IN SACRAMENT MEETING

We arrive in Arizona the afternoon of 23 March, (Wednesday), and our “Mission Report” will be the following Sunday, 27 March, at the Galveston 3rd Ward. Sacrament Meeting starts at 1:00 PM.

The Galveston 3rd Ward is located at 1950 W Galveston St, CHANDLER, AZ 85224.  It's on the NE corner of Galveston Street and Dobson Road.
CLICK HERE for a Google map.

Why do we live?

Fond Farewells

Serving 18 months away from home, family and friends was a walk in the park, compared to our final week in London. There were lots of hugs, kisses and tears as we gathered at the "Goodbye Dinners". We’ve said goodbye more than I care to count!

We really love BBQ, so Monday's dinner was held at Bill Wyman’s Sticky Fingers, (where the menu prices are almost reasonable on Monday night). Bill Wyman was a member of The Rolling Stones, and inside, his memorabilia and gold records are posted on the walls like a Hard Rock Café. We enjoyed some great BBQ with Senior missionaries and Family History staff members.

Friday's farewell dinner was held at Sister Hintze's home with the FHC missionaries.

Sunday, the London North Ward arranged a Munch 'n Mingle after church. That was quite difficult, because those Saints have become so dear to us.

Monday evening, we’ll attend a Senior Missionary Family Home Evening.

We are mostly packed, and ready for Tuesday afternoon. That’s when the two APs (Assistants to the President), will drive us to a hotel near Heathrow airport where we’ll spend the night. We have an early flight Wednesday morning, and we don’t want the hassle of trying to get to  Heathrow in the morning. My heart would not be able to take it!

SPEAKING IN SACRAMENT MEETING

We arrive in Arizona the afternoon of 23 March, (Wednesday), but it will be a while before we speak in Church. That's because the three following Sundays involve Ward Conference, General Conference, and Fast Sunday.

The first available Sunday for our “Mission Report” is 17 April at the Galveston 3rd Ward. Sacrament Meeting starts at 1:00 PM.

The Galveston 3rd Ward is located at 1950 W Galveston St, CHANDLER, AZ 85224.  It's on the NE corner of Galveston Street and Dobson Road.
CLICK HERE for a Google map.

I hope you don’t think this is a shameless plea to beg folks to come to church and hear the Prices speak! Writing this seems like I’m writing my death notice, and I should add, "In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity." But really, it’s just information that you might find handy.

Gerry said she'll be 'spobbing' - a combination of speaking and sobbing. Hopefully, I'll just be speaking.

What a wonderful mission we have had. The Lord knows each of us – by name – and he certainly knew my talents and where I could grow and stretch.

Classical Spectacular–Farwell to the Royal Albert

Thursday, 17 March. We visited the Royal Albert Hall one LAST time.  This event was the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s “Classical Spectacular”. It included the Royal Choral Society (it’s not the Tabernacle Choir, but nevertheless, a very good choir), Band of the Welsh Guards, Wynne Evans (tenor) and Kevin Greenlaw (baritone).

The night was amazing. They started out with “2001 Space Odyssey”, and then it just got better and better! For the most part, the classics were favorites that everyone enjoys. Evans and Greenlaw sang arias from opera like “Funiculi, Funicula” and “Toreador’s Song” from Carmen. The night was topped off with Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”.

I don’t think you can really enjoy “1812” until you hear and see it with cannons and muskets fired by the Moscow Militia. We were seated about 20 feet below one of the two cannons in the Royal Albert. I’ll bet the folks downrange of the cannons were a bit surprised, when missiles that looked like shooting stars, came right at them. Fortunately they had a short life and were spent harmless, just slightly before they reached the seats!

It was a patriotically touching night. The audience, with British flags waving, joined in the chorus to songs that were written when the British Empire ruled 25% of the world, and their Navy had a vital role. Songs like, “Rule, Britannia!”

Rule Britannia!
Britannia rule the waves.
Britons never, never, never shall be slaves.

The audience also sang the chorus to “Land of Hope and Glory” (“Pomp and Circumstance”)

Land of Hope and Glory, Mother of the Free,
How shall we extol thee, who are born of thee?
Wider still and wider shall thy bounds be set;
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.
God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet.

Statistical studies indicate that most Britons aren’t convince that there is a God. But, as I heard the choruses of “God, who made thee mighty, make thee mightier yet”, I felt their national pride and enthusiasm for God’s protection. It was a wonderful snapshot of my time in England, and I’ll shall never forget it. That is a tender memory, and I will hold it dear.

Gerry knew the chorus for “Land of Hope and Glory”, and I asked her how in the world she was able to sing along? Her mother played Pomp and Circumstance on the organ for Pima High graduations, and she taught Gerry the words.

I must have looked very British as I lip synced the choruses, because the lady next to me  asked, (in a very Spanish accent), “Is Rule Britannia! your national anthem.” I mustered up my best cowboy accent and said, “Shucks, I don’t think so ma'am. I think it’s God Save the Queen – at least for now. But you can’t trust me. I’m just a cowboy from Arizona.”

She turned to her friend and said, in Spanish, “I just met a cowboy from Arizona.”

It was a touching and emotional night.

Planning a Trip to Normandy

Bayeux is the starting point for all Normandy D-day tours.

TOUR COMPANY: I recommend Normandy Sightseeing Tours http://www.normandy-sightseeing-tours.com/ or you can purchase a tour from their American broker – Viator www.viator.com

We went on a full day tour of the American sites. At Normandy Sightseeing Tours, they call it the “Utah Beach full day tour”

Normandy Sightseeing Tours will pick you up at your hotel. Tour group maximum is eight. They use a very comfortable van and the guides are fabulous.

HOTEL: I really like the Churchill Hotel: http://www.hotel-churchill.fr/en.php in Bayeux. It is a few hundred meters from the Bayeux Tapestry Museum and the Bayeux Cathedral. The staff are friendly and attentive. If you are traveling April through September, be sure to book early!

Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Open: 2:00-6:00 €7.80 each.

STARTING IN LONDON: If you are starting in London,  you may book at Eurostar: http://www.eurostar.com/dynamic/index.jsp to Gare du Nord in Paris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC TRANSPORATION: The Eurostar onboard magazine has a section that tells you how to travel from Gare du Nord to St Lazare via public transportation, such as the RER. If you’re not comfortable figuring out the RER, take a taxi.

TAXIS IN PARIS: At Gare du Nord, there’s a long cue for taxis. (The Eurostar holds a lot of people). We waited about 15 minutes. The ride to St. Lazare (pronounced San Laz-r) takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the traffic, and costs €10-12.

FRENCH TRAINS: The trains from St. Lazar Station in Paris stop in Caen, Bayeux and terminate in Cherbourg. The trip from Paris to Bayeux takes 2 hours 5 minutes. Board the Cherbourg train.

You can buy tickets to Bayeux at St. Lazare station, or purchase them in advance at Rail Europe: http://raileurope.co.uk/

SAMPLE ITINERARY:

Eurostar dep London St Pancras station at 7:22 am. Arrive Gare du Nord Paris 10:47 am. (2 hrs 25 min trip) (Set watches ahead ONE HOUR).

Taxi to St Lazare (12 minute ride)

Depart Paris St. Lazare at 12:10 pm. Arrive Bayeux 2:15 pm. (2 hrs 5 min trip)

RETURN: Depart Bayeux at 8:41 am. Arrive Paris Saint Lazare at 10:46 am. (2 hr 5 min)

Taxi to Gare du Nord Paris – 12 minute ride

Depart Gare du Nord Paris at 12:13 pm. Arrive St Pancras London at 1:29 pm. (2 hr 16 min) (Set watches back one hour)

TAXIS IN BAYEUX: Minimum charge is  €6. From the train station to the Churchill Hotel is €6

D-day and Normandy

Tuesday, 8 March

Our guide was a native of the area – Francis. He had a binder of applicable photos, and hundreds more on his iPad. We could tell that Francis was passionate about the invasion and liberation. I learned a great deal from him.

 

 

 

THE GERMAN CEMETERY

Francis first took us to the German war cemetery. After the D-day landings, all the soldiers – American, British, Canadian and German, were buried in one cemetery. Later, the allies were given land for their cemeteries, leaving the Germans without a nice resting place. Finding land for the site was difficult, for the French did not have fond memories of the Germans. Eventually, money was raised and land found. Their 21,300 headstones are flat.

STE MERE EGLISE

We next traveled to Ste Mère Eglise. The paratroopers landed everywhere, but where they had planned. The early (1:40 AM) landings, directly on the town, resulted in heavy casualties for the paratroopers. Some buildings near the church were on fire that night, and they illuminated the sky. Everyone was fighting the fire, including the German soldiers. The American soldiers were easy targets and some were sucked into the fire. Many hanging from trees and utility poles were shot before they could cut loose.

In the 1962 movie, “The Longest Day”, Red Buttons played John Steele, (a real live soldier), who had his parachute caught on the church’s roof.

 

 

 

The French have memorialized John Steele, hanging from the roof. He was actually on the other side of the church, where the Germans did not see him – surviving the war.

 

 

However, not many walk to the back of the church, so there hangs John – or his image - on the front side, facing the parking lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Church’s medieval stained glass was destroyed during the war, but the people replaced them with wonderful scenes honoring the paratroopers who liberated Ste Mère Eglise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A museum and visitor center has been built near the church, with a monument entitled, “The Day They Came.”

 

 

 

 

 

THE MOVIE

 

In the early 1960s, when “The Longest Day” was filmed, they used the actual battle sites - Ste Mère Eglise, Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Sword, Gold and Juno. By the time movies like “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers” were in production, too many antennae and monuments had been erected on the Normandy beaches. Those movies were filmed in Ireland.

 

 

THE BEACH INVASION SITES

This was an “American” tour, so only sites involving US forces were visited. The tour took nine hours.

 

Signs like this are scattered throughout the Normandy battle grounds. They are posted on the site of the soldier’s death.

 

 

 

 

HEROS ALL OVER THE PLACE!

During the invasion, this church in Angoville au Plain was turned into a medical station. Medics Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore saved over 80 lives here – they lost but one soldier. German soldiers found them, but when they saw that Wright and Moore were treating everyone - Germans too, they departed.

 

 

SAD NOTE: France has 40,000 churches, but only 15,000 priests. 25,000 churches like the one pictured above are no longer active. The parishioners in Angoville au Plain travel to Ste Mère Eglise.

POINTE DU HOC

Pointe du Hoc (old French for “Hook Point”), was a “big gun” site. Colonel Rudder’s 2nd Ranger Battalion were charged with scaling the 90 foot cliffs and destroying the guns. They did it, but at a great cost. It’s not as well known as Utah and Omaha Beach. However, the loses at Pointe du Hoc were greater (percentage wise) those on Omaha Beach. Of the 225 Rangers, 135 were killed or wounded.

 

Gerry is standing in one of the hundreds of bomb craters at Pointe du Hoc. Over the years, they’ve become shallower.  Many German soldiers were killed and never found – so each crater is considered a grave site.

 

 

UTAH BEACH

32,000 Americans landed here. They lost 200 men.

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL & OMAHA BEACH

We had seen places that put a few tears in the eyes, but this place is very tender and sweet. Beautiful – US land, given to us by the French. When this cemetery was established, families were given the choice of having their loved ones returned to the United States, or buried here, overlooking Omaha Beach. 14,000 chose to have the remains returned, and 9,387 Americans rest here. About 300 of them are unknown.

The cemetery is located on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach where over 43,000 soldiers fought. 3,000 paid the ultimate price.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRENCH FAMILIES

In 2000, a French couple founded Les Fleurs de la Memoire, which adopts the graves of American servicemen who died during the Normandy invasion of World War II. The volunteer group encourages French families to lay flowers on the graves when the Americans' own families can't do it.

Over 8,000 French families have adopted a grave, and this commitment passes from the parents to the children and their children.  This assures that these men and women will be remembered for years and years.

"Sometimes people take flowers from their own gardens. And they say it is like a son, like a cousin, like a brother. It is a member of the family."