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Coming to America

In August, 1951 my family and I boarded the "SS Flandre" to come to America. In W W II this ship was scuttled twice. Once by the French so that the Germans could not use her as a transport ship. The second time was by the Germans who had resurrected her only to scuttled her to prevent the Allies from housing their troops.

One day out from landing in New York. This is the only picture I have of the journey. My mother and I on the deck of the ship on a windy day.
COMMENTS
Leftofcenter said at 10:30 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
PRICELESS, Jean-Emile (if you don't mind). Only one picture. But YOU know the story. This is what I had imagined when I started the RETROSPECTIVE group. memories with a lot of heart (and a little history doesn't hurt) thank you, POP, I know how long it took to get this one together!! :)
Leftofcenter said at 10:37 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
and look at lil' Johnny! (the shoes, the socks!!)
PhotoPop said at 10:45 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
Thank you, Annelies. Overall this was a pleasant journey to rummage through the past and speculate how different things would be if we had not left France. A pointless exercise no doubt but interesting nevertheless. Feel free to use my French name as I have no fear of being beaten up like I did when I was in junior high because I had a girl's name.
Lifequest22 said at 10:59 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
John--that was the same year I came to American--I was born in 1951 and was the first generation American in our family. I have pictures of my mom and her brother on the ship when they came to America as children in the 1920s. And I've always been fascinated by those pics.

You are a cute little "Jean." This is a perfect retro tab. So glad you posted.
Leftofcenter said at 11:04 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
"speculate how different things would be IF" is a pointless exercise???? I do that all the time!! will have to review the situation. it's not your fault people can't read beautiful French names like JEAN on this side of the ocean!!! hey guys its not Jean like Norma Jean, its like ... mmm, can't think of anything... wbb :)
PhotoPop said at 11:17 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
It is like Jean-Luc Piccard or Jean-Paul Belmondo. It was junior high, not the pinnacle of anyone's intelligence. Trust me I am well over it. But I do feel free, now that my name is out of the closet. LOL
Lifequest22 said at 11:21 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
I love saying Jean-Luc. Jean Luc. Now I can start saying Jean-Emile.
Pkeener said at 11:54 a.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
i dont know nothing bout French! But I love Jean Luc Picard, Jean Luc Ponti, and Jean Paul Belamond (SIGH) and what about Gene Tiernny, Jean Kelly. Gene Simmons, Gene Autry, Gene Ammons, ummm, do I need to go on?

This is so sweet, John. The shoes alone melted my heart. Yoiu still have tha impish smile.
Candlepower said at 12:25 p.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
Incredible! So wonderful you have these pictures!
YorkJodi said at 6:41 p.m. on Dec 11, 2008:
Amazing photos... and what a lovely story... You are so lucky to have these... what an adorable little boy you were... and I too love the shoes... Great tabblo!!
Flinkfar said at 1:52 p.m. on Dec 12, 2008:
Interesting story and pictures - thanx for sharing.
Chiloedream said at 1:58 p.m. on Dec 12, 2008:
Un très grand voyage.
Une fabuleuse histoire.
BRAVO mon ami.
PhotoPop said at 1:58 p.m. on Dec 12, 2008:
Gene Simmons, Ohhhhhhhhhhh please. Ladies, I thought you would like the shoes. They remind me of me daughters "jelly" shoes which they loved so much. My thanks to you all. I shall now go forward into the past, and search for old photos. In the words of Jean-Luc, "Make it so."
Lifequest22 said at 3:01 p.m. on Dec 12, 2008:
OH, Jean-Emile---I just love how you say "Make it so."
Andre. said at 4:32 p.m. on Dec 13, 2008:
Awesome retro shots
EMA said at 6:14 p.m. on Dec 13, 2008:
Very nice memories! It's incredible how much life changed in forty years!
HtD said at 3:24 a.m. on Dec 14, 2008:
a wonderful family story
PhotoPop said at 3:15 p.m. on Dec 15, 2008:
Linda, you saucy wench, you have made my cheeks blush. You have " made it so".
Andre and Henk many thanks for your kind words.
EMA, the pace of change has never been faster in world history. Your right, it is incredible how much things have change.
Debdog said at 7:41 p.m. on Dec 15, 2008:
priceless image, on your way to a new life :)
Welshchick said at 3:24 a.m. on Dec 16, 2008:
Wonderful photos to cherish~ THank you!
Mirella said at 10:14 a.m. on Jan 26, 2009:
Jean-Emil, this is a STORY, this is STORY!!!Ciao
PhotoPop said at 10:57 a.m. on Jan 26, 2009:
Thank you Debra, Rhonda and Mirella, it took me quite a bit of time to find these pictures and in the process found others I was not aware of existed. These old pictures bring back memories and speculations of what might have been.
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