Unique international "Ring of Memory" Memorial for WWI (and WW2) casualties inaugurated

A great example of unity. This is a unique memorial near Notre DAME DE LORRETTE, Arras, France with 579.606 names on it. They are casualties from 40 nationalities who fought during WWI. A smaller monument nearby also has soldiers from WW2 , victims of the German camps , one unknown soldier from the Algeria War Vet and one from the Indochina war.

The monument is a ring which symbolizes unity, and the way it is resting on the groung in a fragile way shows how peace is fragile.

Names are per alphabetical order, regarless nationality or rank. This is quite unique ,as enemies from yesterday are now together. delegations from 28 nations were present . President Hollande was presented the stories of three soldiers by three students from France, Britain and Germany (the three most represented nationalities).

It is huge and was built in only 9 months, a parelel between death and life and the battle also lasted 9 months The Monument is not far fro mother famous Memorials like the Vimy Ridge for the Canadians .

" 579, 606 names, it is huge and I think that each one of us, somewhere, has a grandfather, or knows someone or someone who is somehow famous and whose name is written on the memorial. It is something quite exceptional, moving.
There are 500 metal panels and around 1 200 names engraved on each metal panel.
One page of the book remains blank because in 2018 if unknown soldiers are identified, if we discover their names, we will still be able to engrave their names onto the last, the 500th panel.”"
http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/12/french-ring-of-memory-memorial-an-expression-of-fellowship/






http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/remembrance-day-memorial-pays-tribute-fallen-all-sides-first-world-war-1473722






May they all rest in peace, regarless their nationality

 

To avoid any confusion, the ring is for WW1 casualties and some WW2 victims are commemorated on an other Memorial nearby the cemetery


. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/remembrance-day-memorial-pays-tribute-fallen-all-sides-first-world-war-1473722