Toussaint: All Saints’ Day in France
November 1, 2025 at 2:04 pm 3 comments
Today I placed fresh flowers on the grave of Flying Officer Charles E. Anderson of the Royal Canadian Air Force, who is buried in the village cemetery in Essoyes.
Flying Officer Anderson gave his life in the struggle for a Free France in 1944. You can learn about his story here.
This fallen pilot’s daughter grew up without ever having the chance to know her father. But through a series of fortunate connections made by readers of this blog, earlier this year she was able to send a heartfelt message to her father–to be delivered by the cousin she also never knew until recently–to be placed on his grave.
It is a beautiful, and a loving message delivered across the miles and the years. I’m grateful to the readers of my blog who made this loving tribute possible. (And they know who they are. 🙂 )
Janet Hulstrand is an American writer/editor who lives in France.
Entry filed under: About World War II. Tags: Charles E. Anderson, France, Liberation of France, RCAF, WWII.
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Writing from the Heart, Reading for the Road 
1.
Rosemary Deans | November 1, 2025 at 2:22 pm
This would never have been possible without the touching tribute written by Janet. Not knowing of each others existence throughout their lives, and having lived only a few hours drive from each other, these cousins have been connected. The daughter and nephew of Flying Officer Anderson are profoundly grateful. Lest we forget.
2.
Janet Hulstrand | November 1, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Thank you, Rosemary! I’m so grateful that you reached out to me several years ago–and that later Linda’s friend Roger did also. The fact that all this resulted in making possible a real-life connection between cousins makes me really really happy.
I’m also grateful to have you and Bill–and your friends Rita and Anna–as my new Canadian friends. What a wonderful thing that is!
3.
Ginnie Cooper | November 1, 2025 at 10:11 pm
so lovely to be reminded that people connection serve us all well! Thank you, Janet, making this possible.