A few years ago a call went out from Angoville au Plain, Normandy to help in the restoration
of the famed church with the "bloody pews".
On D-Day June 6, 1944 and the days that followed, the church was used as a medical aid station
by men of the famed 101st Airborne Division and more specifically two medics from the 501st PIR, named Robert Wright
and Kenneth Moore. The two men saved the lives and eased the suffering of many a friend and foe alike. Unfortunately, a small
child from the village was unable to be saved.
Upon hearing the call, I contacted Hubert Achten and volunteered to design and build a paratrooper
stained glass window to be placed inside the church there.
I cannot express what an honor and priviledge it is for me to donate this window to
this fine project. I believe it will be a nice compliment to the other paratrooper window that was dedicated in 2004.
(see picture below)
Let me explain what is represented on the window that I am working on.
The frame has 15 "medics red crosses" on alternating "Infantry" blue and white panels.
At the top of the window is the 101st Airborne Eagle head to represent the division. It was
taken from the type "8" eagle patch.
Below that is the Paratrooper qualification wings to represent all troopers.
On the left side is the 501st distinctive insignia to represent to "Geronimo" regiment.
At the bottom is the head of the Statue of Liberty which is framed by the flags of the United
States and France. This represents both countries as well as Liberty itself. Plus, France gave the U.S. the statue for it's
Centennial in 1876.
The date of June 6, 1944 represents the D-Day date.
At the bottom is a ribbon that has the names of the medics, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore
seperated by the medics red cross.
Running through the middle of the window is a blood red ribbon with a quote from John 15:13
out of the Bible. It says, "No greater love has a man than to lay down his life for another". The blood red ribbon represents
the blood shed at the church.
At this time I have not chosen a background color for the window.
The window will be sealed in two solid panes of tempered glass so that reinforcing will not
have to be used. This is the new way of doing large stained glass windows.
Overall, the weight will be around 200 pounds.
Without the help of the owner of ARTISTRY STAINED GLASS in Tempe Arizona, Roger Martin, this
project would not be realized. Thank you Roger!
I would also like to thank Hubert Achten, Daniel in Angoville, Terry Webb, Mark Bando, my
Mother who has been a BIG help, my wife Sandy who puts up with me and my trips, as well and anyone else who
has assisted with this project.
I am very pleased to be donating the cost of all goods and the time involved to build the
window. However, I am seeking donations and/or sponsorship from Corporate, Associations or private individuals to cover or
offset the cost of the airfare for two and the shipping of the window on the same flight.
If you have suggestions for this sponsorship or would like to donate to the fund for airfare
it would be GREATLY appreciated! You may also contact me regarding donation to the church in Angoville to help with the restoration
project. I will put you in touch with them at that time.
I believe that it is important to remember the men and the people of the "Greatest Generation"
who sacrificed so much that me may live in freedom today.
Thank you,
Mark Patterson
