Found this photo - it's not in very good condition & this
is the best my friend Tom could do with it using photoshop.
My Dad wrote on the back" VI Corps September 1944 "so it's
gotta be in France & there are mountains in the background.
Here it is for whatever it's worth.
The photo has definitely seen some action, but it still captures the moment .
And yes, that would be southern France.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
What I can make out is 3 or 4 riflemen and colors bearer Gi's standing behind are at
attention. Looking towards bldg. Didn't see bldg like that in Italy so it must be
France. Probably getting ready for medals' awards. What say Joe, Sgtleo ?? Roque
Roque J.(Rocky) Riojas
i agree with Rocky's assessment; looks like a parade ground to me, and probably getting ready for some sort of medal ceremony. 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
thanks M1 and Rocky,
Probably was some kind of award ceremony.
It must've been for somebody who did something important,
I can't imagine they'd have a big ceremony like that for just anything.
Here's a photo of Dad also in Sept 44 in front of some bridge.
He wrote on the back :"Arches France".
Can't find any town called "Arches".
Judging by their condition, he must've carried these pics
around with him. He appears to be about to smile at - looks like
a dog in the foreground - maybe "Sally" again.
M2, I'm sure your dad was probably referring the the bridge structure, therefore mentioned the arches.
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
From another M 
to M 1+2 there's a town in France with that name try on the link below 
Martin
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=de&...p;z=11&om=1
Martin from Luxembourg
THANKS Martin!! 
We learn something new every day! 
m2
Tres bien. Maybe he was referring to the arches in Arches! 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
It appears to me that the group to the right of the color bearer is a band. My best guess would be it was a ceremony at 6th Corps headquaters around 15 September when the U.S. 6th Army Group became operational under command of Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers and, with the U.S. Seventh Army and the First French Army, passed from control of Allied Force Headquarters to the control of Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).
Larry
"I'm proud to be an American, Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, Who gave that right to me."
God bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
THANKS Martin!!
You're welcome M2 
Martin from Luxembourg
Larry, I bet you're absolutely right!!
That would explain such a big ceremony at 6 corps HQ.
mary ann
The town of Arches is on the Moselle river, this map shows the 179th regiment of the 45th ID passed thru there around 20 Sept 44.
Larry
"I'm proud to be an American, Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died, Who gave that right to me."
God bless the USA - Lee Greenwood
Good eye Larry. Danged that's even on one of my OWN maps. 
Marion J Chard
Proud Daughter of Walter 'Monday' Poniedzialek
540th Combat Engineer - H&S Company
Hello,
I am sorry, I can't see the photo........... but what is sure, it is Arches is in the Vosges mountains, where I live. And at Arches, you have the river named " La Moselle". Last sunday, we were with 2 americans friends at a commemoration of the crossing moselle River, at Noirgueux, neat Remirement and Arches. The father of my friend was in the 36th - 143rd company G.
If you can send me this pic, I could maybe find the exact place where this pics was taken, and I will send you it.
I wish you all, a good day,
Gerome.
