October 1, 2026
Reims, France
WWI Battlefields
When I was a student in Tour 48 years ago our group toured around many of the chateaux in the Loire valley. We were studying the history of the region; it always struck me that I could be standing where King Francois 1st stood, or where Henri de Navarre was killed trying to take over the throne. The history seemed to speak from the walls.
Walking the Camino I was always reminded that I was following the footsteps of pilgrims from before the time of Jesus.
Today Glen and I walked in the steps of his grandfather who fought in WWI. This is a pilgrimage of a different sort, and a pilgrimage nonetheless. I won’t say much here because this is really Glen’s story to tell. I can only share that it was moving to stand where so many young men fought and died to stop the Germans from trying to capture all of France. I stood in their cemeteries and felt the impact of their sacrifice. British and Americans stood side by side with the French to save their country. There was bravery, honor, and sacrifice for something greater than themselves.
This is a Saint Nicholas cookie made out of spice bread. The tradition in this particular region of France is that there was a butcher who would grab children, cut them up and keep the pieces. Hey I didn’t promise a nice tidy story. So one day Saint Nicholas comes along (he wasn’t a saint then), goes to the butcher, returns all the children to life and takes them away from the butcher. On December 6, which is the feast day of Saint Nicholas all children receive a gift and a Saint Nicholas cookie. The story and tradition is unique to this area in France.
