In the center of a semicircular colonnade stands The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves (1953–56). This 22-foot bronze statue overlooks a reflecting pool at the front of the American Cemetery in Normandie.

After I had roamed part of the cemetery, the weather was turning sour quickly, so in an attempt to make my way closer to the bus, I finally saw this statue. I would have liked to had more time for more creative compositions, but the rain came down hard just moments later, and I still had family members to track down before returning to the safety of the bus.