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| Approaching Crete at dusk, one sees hills of olive trees, and beautiful caves and beaches, with little hint of the heavy casualties during the infamous Battle for Crete, eventually a German victory in 1941. |
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| Cookie pays respect to the fallen at Souda Bar War Cemetery. |
THOUSANDS DIED
FOR FREEDOM
ON THIS IDYLLIC
MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND
STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
ON THIS holiday Monday, honoring the fallen who died for peace, freedom and a better world, we travel to the Souda Bay War Cemetery in the Greek Isles.
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| As one enters the cemetery, a caretaker greets the car or hiker. |
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| Beautiful inlaid stone crosses accent the solemn tone. |
THE CAPITAL city Heraklion, is one of the Mediterranean's most fascinating and vibrant cities, replete with unusual museums, delightful gardens and eateries. But the cemetery is important. Strolling past geraniums red as Christmas berries, it's hard to imagine the violence, bloodshed and death that marked ferocious World War II battles for this key harbor.
PAST SMALL, neat farmhouses, sunning chickens and sleeping dogs, one comes quietly to Souda Bay and the memorial.
Elegant stone walking paths flank rows and rows of crosses and white marble grave markers. What stories the ghosts could tell, of 1940 when Italy invaded mainland Greece and Crete's excellent harbors became a contentious battleground. The Germans wanted the strategic point, critical to their war effort.
PAST SMALL, neat farmhouses, sunning chickens and sleeping dogs, one comes quietly to Souda Bay and the memorial.
Elegant stone walking paths flank rows and rows of crosses and white marble grave markers. What stories the ghosts could tell, of 1940 when Italy invaded mainland Greece and Crete's excellent harbors became a contentious battleground. The Germans wanted the strategic point, critical to their war effort.
ALLIED BOMBERS were within range. After much carnage, dominance of the Royal Navy in the Mediterranean ended in mid-1941 when the Germans launched a massive airborne attack. Days of desperate and heroic fighting followed, but Allied troops were forced to evacuate. Thousands were taken prisoner or died.
NOW, REMAINS of the fallen sit sentinel at the northwest corner of Crete's Souda Bay. The meticulously groomed cemetery holds the graves of hundreds, mostly Commonwealth, who struggled valiantly to defend Crete against the German invasion in May and June of 1941. During two months of horrible battle, thousands perished. More than 1,500 WWII servicemen are commemorated in the cemetery -- along with 19 World War I soldiers and some from other conflicts.
CRETE's FAME goes back centuries before this memorial. The island was central to the sophisticated Minoan Civilization, dating to 2700 B.C., and regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.
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| Crete's key location made it a point of contention in WWII. |
CRETE's FAME goes back centuries before this memorial. The island was central to the sophisticated Minoan Civilization, dating to 2700 B.C., and regarded as the earliest recorded civilization in Europe.
This imposing, largest Greek isle is also one of the largest in the Mediterranean, covering 8.303 kilometers and spanning 260 km, east to west.
In the U.S., our Memorial Day was born of the ashes of the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, it was officially proclaimed after the war that tore our country apart, on May 5, 1868. General John Alexander Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, with veterans of all military branches observed the day later that month, on May 30, 1868.
NEW YORK officially recognized the holiday in 1873 and by 1890 all the northern states joined. It took the losses of World War I for the southern states to recognize the day. From then on, the holiday was expanded to honor the dead of all wars and U.S. military actions.
FOR NEARLY a century, people called the holiday "Decoration Day" but it was not until 1967 that President Lyndon Banes Johnson signed legislation officially renaming the holiday "Memorial Day."
That atrocities and barbarism scarred this idyllic place called Crete seems incredible and unfitting.
But the memorial's countless markers
tell the tragic tale.
HAPPILY, many Greek communities across the U.S. celebrate their heritage in the days before and after our U.S. Memorial Day. Moussaka, souvlaki, and gyros will soon be served in Downey, Calif., and other Los Angeles area towns. The Valley Greek Festival in Northridge, goes on the boards daily during Memorial Day weekend, 1-9 p.m.
THE 30th annual Downey Greek Festival is June 7-8, with Greek fare and vendors showing Greek music, crafts and more. Here in San Diego, St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church stages its annual Greek Festival, June 13-15 with parking behind the San Diego Unified School District offices near Park Blvd. and El Cajon Blvd. All share heritage, culture, music, traditions, customs and food.
Sounds like "opa" time to me.
Then off to ancient Ephesus where the Bible's Paul preached and the mother of Jesus lived out her life. We offer a modern approach to travel and the arts as we zip through time and explore the wonders of the centuries. Our adventure tips are laced with a sense of fun with "insider" pointers. Take time to explore, learn and live. Please visit us Wednesdays, weekends and as the muse invites, at: www.whereiscookie.com
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| A marker honors a fallen soldier, a doctor, above; below, one of several historic churches remaining in Crete. |
Its lovely, cave-lined coastline gives way to varied landscape, with many mountains.
In the U.S., our Memorial Day was born of the ashes of the Civil War. Originally called Decoration Day, it was officially proclaimed after the war that tore our country apart, on May 5, 1868. General John Alexander Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, with veterans of all military branches observed the day later that month, on May 30, 1868.NEW YORK officially recognized the holiday in 1873 and by 1890 all the northern states joined. It took the losses of World War I for the southern states to recognize the day. From then on, the holiday was expanded to honor the dead of all wars and U.S. military actions.
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| Luxury hotel accommodations are available on Crete, here a Four Seasons beach. |
That atrocities and barbarism scarred this idyllic place called Crete seems incredible and unfitting. |
| Downey and Northridge, Calif., join San Diego in celebrating Greek heritage during the next two weeks. |
tell the tragic tale.
HAPPILY, many Greek communities across the U.S. celebrate their heritage in the days before and after our U.S. Memorial Day. Moussaka, souvlaki, and gyros will soon be served in Downey, Calif., and other Los Angeles area towns. The Valley Greek Festival in Northridge, goes on the boards daily during Memorial Day weekend, 1-9 p.m.
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| COMING: Popular Ft. Lauderdale water taxis offer leisurely cruising along the city's world famous waterways with commentary on celebrity homes. |
Sounds like "opa" time to me.
COMING UP: Fort Lauderdale and its famous water taxis offer romance, comfort, boats with a view, homes of the rich and famous, and a history lesson to boot. Find it soon at www.whereiscookie.com
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| Ephesus intrigues with its ancient buildings, walkways and artwork. |
Fine tribute, good pictures and excellent commentary. Moving piece.
ReplyDeleteWe have been here, and we're so taken by the enormity of the loss. A strategic part of the world during the war. Thanks for your eloquent reminder.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful piece. Lest we forget. So educational and yet moving with the immediacy of a well written piece. Beautiful photos as well. Thank you.
ReplyDelete