All Saints Day at St. Michel's

Chrysanthemums bound on All Saints

This is the third year I have attended the wreath-placing ceremony at St. Michel's cemetery.  And each year it never fails to move me and provoke me to thoughts beyond my small life.  

Symmetrical rows of flowers and flags

I saw some of the same faces as in prior years, mostly in the military personnel who attend.  I noticed that there were more women carrying flags, as well as more women in uniform.  What I did not see were any women's names on the crosses in the military section of St. Michel's.  These deaths were from an earlier, different time.  I have to confess that I do not know the history of women's service in France's armed forces, but I suspect it is relatively brief and recent.  

Old friends visit while awaiting the start of the ceremony

The bugler did a good job this year with only one "crack."  I don't think the French have an equivalent of Taps, which is too bad.  The men and women who took part in the ceremony stood tall, proudly wearing their medals and sashes (which the French are so fond.)  All was scrubbed and pressed and polished, for what was a very short service.  Dignitaries from the government and civic organizations placed flower arrangements at the base of the flagpole, the honor guard presented arms, the children from the local junior high school sang the Marseillaise, and everyone departed.  There were no long wind-bag speeches, no droning of "We must never forget."  Showing up generation after generation rakes care of that.

I love these big showy flowers

And color!

Non military families came through the entrance is a steady stream, carrying baskets and pots of chrysanthemums to place on family plots.  Many tombs were already decorated with shades of yellow and garnet and lavender.  I remain impressed by watching family members--grandparents, parents and their youngsters coming in carrying pots of color.  Perhaps Carcassonne's population is not as transient as those of places I have lived in the US.  I don't remember ever seeing this kind of tradition.  I know it was not a part of our family celebrations.

So much white amid all the color

On my way out of the cemetery, a section caught my eye.  It was an interior section, not having any outer edge that bordered a path, almost as if it were being protected.   It struck me with all of the whiteness.  I had to investigate, so I edged through a space between tombs and entered the area.  The graves were covered in white flowers, chrysantemums, mostly.  It took me a few seconds to realize that this was the children's section of St. Michel's.  Most of the tiny graves were still lovingly tended.  The lone exception bore a sign asking if anyone had any information about this abandoned tomb could he or she please contact the cemetery administrators.  

Dominiquw lived 5 days, but now lies abandoned

Petite graves in this section

The cemetery cats were curled up in the potted plants decorating the tombs.  St. Michel's is a place of peace and beauty, especially at this time of year.  It always provokes thoughts in me about legacy and purpose.  Every time I go there, I see something new.  This visit was no exception. 

In the children's section