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CAMILLE VAUCLIN
camillevauclin@hotmail.fr |
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Out of
6 brothers who fought in the war only
John "Jack" Carroll did not return.
It is his gravesite Camille tends to the
rest of her life. |
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Worse than
death, is to be forgotten...So
that this never happens to those to whom we
owe so much, the association "Les
Fleurs de la Memoire". ( Flowers
of remembrance ), came to life. It
happened on December 15, 2000, in Saint Lo,
a city which, after the June 6, 1944,
bombing raids, was called the Capital of
Ruins. |
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Since
that day, along with our members, we have
paved the way along memory's roads. These
paths of memory lead to the American
military cemeteries where those, swept along
by the Star Spangled banner, listening only
to their courage, came to offer their life,
so that we could reclaim our freedom.
At the core of
Les Fleurs de la Memoire, the 720
members, put aside their differences,
religious beliefs, and their origins, share
the same gratitude towards the GI's who
repose at Colleville-sur-Mer or Saint James.
Together, on
Memorial Day or individually on any other
day of the year, we come to meditate, in
silence, or in prayer. Then, in an
affectionate gesture, as would a godparent
for their godchild, allowing the heart to
speak, we place flowers at the base of the
headstone.
It is not
uncommon to see grandparents, at times moved
to tears, accompanied by their children and
grand children moving along the rows on the
way to find "the" grave.
Once at the
gravesite, their heads filled with
images.... All listen, all meditate.
Is it the sound
of the breeze ?… Rather, isn't it the sound
of the souls, the living memory of the dead
speaking to our subconscious ?… Then the
terrible sounds of combat invade the
mind...those unbearable sounds of bombs
which explode.. the whining cry of diving
planes...the agonizing cries of the
suffering. All the horrors of war assault
our memories
Finding the
spirit of those who died for that we may
live in a better world, kneeling in front of
the headstone, placing these flowers, is
this not a profound appeal for peace?
That is, I
believe, what each person feels when coming
to execute their pledge towards our
association, "Les Fleurs de la Memoire". A
Humble pledge always accomplished with the
infallible faith and immense fraternity with
those whom we honor. It is true we have so
much to say to you who sleep forever in our
Normandy soil. Yes, so many things, which
however must be resumed in one word: "Merci."
Yes, "Thank You. Always!"
Claude Lavieille
Président de l'association
Les Fleurs de la Mémoire
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Sent: Sun
12/25/2011 1:10 PM |
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Dear Mister Speer,
Thank you for your message!
John "Jack" Matthew Carroll was
born in Philadelphia, PA, on 12th
June 1923. Jack had Irish origins.
His father was Raymond T Carroll, he
was born in 1892 and he died on 2nd
October 1942. His mother was Elsie
Carroll, she was born in 1985. Jack
had five brothers. All the
Carroll brothers faught during the
war but only Jack did not return at
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home : Raymond "Ray" Joseph Carroll born on
26th February 1919. He served in Europe in
Army. Then he served in Navy during 20
years! Robert "Bob" George Carroll was |
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born on 7th April 1922. He served in Navy
somewhere in the Atlantic. Edward "Eddie"
Thomas Carroll was born in 20th June 1924.
He served in Navy somewhere in the Pacific.
James "Jim" Reynolds Carroll was born in 4th
January 1926. He served in Navy somewhere in
the Pacific on the U.S.S. Coffman. Richard
"Dick" Norman Carroll was born in 4th
November 1927. He served in the Coast
Guards. He was 17 years old ! All the
Carroll brothers were members of the
Lighthouse Club in Philadelphia. The six
brothers were educated and increased in
Philadelphia. After the war the Jack's
brothers returned to live in Philadelphia,
except Raymond. During the war, Elsie
was worried because her boys were far from
the house, but, she was very proud of them.
Today all the Carroll brothers are deceased
but their children and their young-children
take care of their graves. |
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Pfc John M Carroll was enlisted on
15th February 1943 in Philadelphia.
He was in the 30th U.S. division,
119th infantry regiment, 1st BN,
Charlie Company. He was single and
catholic. Jack was at the high
school during two years. He worked
in a factory in Philadelphia. On
17th July 1944, Jack was missing in
action. He was killed in action on
18th July 1944 (area : Pont Hebert).
The association assigned to me the
Jack's grave. I visit his grave
several time a year to put flowers.
I have the duty to take care of his
grave all my life ! The members of
the association are volunteers. We
give a contribution to become member
of the association. The members of
the association are French or
Austrian, Belgian.....
Thanks to
www.ancestry.com and a kind
mister I found the Jack's family. We
correspond together. |
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http://lesfleursdelamemoire.creer-forums.com/
http://www.lesfleursdelamemoire.com/accueil_fr.php
Merry Christmas and Happy new year !
Respectfully,
Camille Vauclin.
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Sent:
Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:16:48 -0500
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Dear Camille,
I tried to follow your quest for information
concerning Pfc. Carroll and found some
answers at "rootsweb" where you had posted
your search for information about him or
relatives of Carroll. It looked like the
outcome was rewarding. Can you share a
little more with me (what you found out)
that I might post on the web site?
Another thing that warmed my heart when I
first heard from you is what you do to care
for his gravesite. People do care about
others and this was a wonderful thing to
hear about.
Would you take the time one day to share
with me just how the care of fallen soldiers
gravesites takes place... is it voluntary,
etc. I would love to publish this also if
you would allow.
Sincerely and Merry Christmas
Steve Speer |
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Email sent: Mon 3/7/2011 3:19
PM |
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PFC JOHN M. CARROLL - 119TH INFANTRY
REGIMENT, 30TH DIVISION U.S. |
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Hello,
I am
Camille Vauclin. I am seventeen years old
and live in France, Normandy. I write to you
because I am a member of the association
"Les Fleurs De La Memoire" and I a
sponsoring the grave of Pfc John M. Carroll.
I must take care of his grave all my life. I
would like to find more information's about
him and I would like to find a photo of him
too. Can you help me please?
Cordially
Camille Vauclin
Pfc John M.
Carroll
Born in 1923 - Philadelphia
30TH Division - 119TH Infantry Regiment
Army Serial Number: 33584940
Date of Enlistment: 15/02/1943
Nativity Pennsylvania
Race and Citizenship: White Citizen,
American
Education: 2 years of High School
Marital Statut: Single
Family: Margaret Carroll (sister)
William Carroll ()father) Born in 1892 in
Scotland
Mary Carroll (mother) Born in 1895 in
Scotland |
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http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/CARROLL/2011-10/1318773184 |
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Subject: Re:
[CARROLL] Pfc John M Carroll, 30th Inf DI,
119th Inf Regiment,1st BN, C co.
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:11:12 -0000
This is a Message Board Post that is
gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: tziggan
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.carroll/7829.2/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Hi, Camille,
You are just wonderful, I hope we can help
you.
Your info certainly reflects good research
on your part, it includes the US 1930 census
and well beyond! I went through our social
security death index and there's a good
chance the brothers Richard, Edward and
maybe James are still living, the others
look to have passed. We have to hope they
sort of stayed in Philadelphia or else we
unrelated people probably won't be able to
find them.
yahoo.com people search shows four Richards
living in Philadelphia (there are no doubt
more, but that's what shows up). I made
calls to them this morning: one got a modem
sound, one is disconnected, one I left a
message and contact info on, the last
answered and said he had also received a
call yesterday about the same thing, so
somebody else is on the same track trying to
help! But it's not his family.
intelius.com shows two Richard Daniels of
the right age (he was 2 in the 1930 census,
these men are b. 1927 and 1926) who
live/lived in Philadelphia. There are phone
numbers for the 1926 guy and he's not the
right one, I spoke with them this morning.
The other one with the better date does not
show phone numbers, but I'm sending you the
addresses for him in private email, you
might try a letter to them.
Camille, please know that this tremendous
act you are doing means the world to all of
us here in the US - we all have ties in one
way or another to that time and history, so
the honor you are paying to this soldier and
his family is one we all appreciate as if it
were for our own. Thank you so much.
Regards,
Pam, in California |
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From: "Lorri"
phillylorri@comcast.net
Subject: Re: [CARROLL] Pfc John M Carroll,
30th Inf DI, 119th Inf Regiment,1st BN, C
co.
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:33:19 -0400
Pam, I am the one that made the calls in
Phila, to help Camille. It seems she has got
in contact with a niece of John Carroll, an
will receive a photo. I think this is a
wonderful cause, these men should not be
forgotten. I registered on the French site
to help others.
LorriPhillylorri@comcast.ne |
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Author: camillevauclin
Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.carroll/7829.2.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
Hello,
First of all I thank Bob for his support,
Take care.
Pam, I thank you for the help which you
bring me. A kind mister helped me to find
John's family. He found the John's niece.
She tell me that all Carroll brothers fought
during the war but only John didn't return
at their home. She tell me that today, all
Carroll brothers and their wife are
deceased.
I think it isn't useful to thank me because
that's the least we can do for them. I
believe there are special and strong ties
between the Normans and the Americans and it
forever. Thank you again.
Camille Vauclin |
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