Last weekend I took a trip to France with others from work to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Belleau Wood (Famous Battle where Marines got the nickname "devil dog" from the Germans). This is us pulling away from Dover, UK on the ferry. See the white cliffs out the window. We took the chunnel back. Those pictures didn't turn out. 
The first day was ours to tour Paris. Here I am at the big archy looking thing. They call it the "Arc de Triomphe" in France. How snooty is that?
The Eiffel Tower. We planned to go to the top but the line was too long. Since we only had one day we decided to press on.
Notre Dame. Funny thing, I never saw the football stadium. We had lunch in a small cafe next door. Who knew the French could cook!? It was really good.
More Notre Dame Pictures.
These two were facing the Louvre. There were a lot of artists hanging around this area of Paris for some reason.
We took a water taxi down the Seine river. Crazy huh?
Outside the Louvre.
Inside the Louvre. In some areas inside you can take pictures. I'm not sure this is one of them.
The next day we departed on a WWI battle sites tour near Belleau Wood. About 60 miles east of Paris near Chateau Thierry, France. This is the closest the Germans ever got to Paris in WWI. Marines used helmets, bayonets and handles from their mess kits to dig small holes to get cover from incoming rounds and artillery. They did not have entrenching gear (because they mainly operated on ship) so they could not dig trench lines. The fox hole was invented here.
The Marines in WWI charged across this field (Only half of it shown) and attacked the Germans well dug in in the wood line. (Gettysburg anyone?) The tour guide said nothing in the landscape has changed much since WWI.
After the battle sites tour we were treated to a BBQ in a small french village. Absolutely fantastic. Really can't say enough about it.
My unit surprised me with a Medal I received from my last unit. They gave it to me at the Iron Mike statue in Belleau Wood just before the ceremony.
Cool.
On Sunday the Memorial Day ceremony was held at the cemetery next to Belleau Wood. The best military event I've ever been to. Hands down. 
The Marine Corps silent drill team.
This is the French Army band. The played some interesting tunes including the theme from the TV show "JAG". A few around me began to snicker so I told them it was a historical French battle song that was adapted for the TV show (not true).
Drinking from the Devil Dog fountain in the town of Belleau. We were treated again to lots of wine, champagne and all sorts of goodies. Anyway, it was a great trip. Don't tell Casey though, I told her it was a bore. We are going as a family next month.
