Resilience through immense hardship central to Pensacola s story | Capt. Tim Kinsella Capt. Tim Kinsella, Guest columnist
In the province of West Flanders, in the little corner of northwest Belgium called Westhoek, is the ancient walled town of Ypres (pronounced eee-pruh), situated on the banks of the Ypres-Yser Canal. A beautiful town, with cobblestone streets, imposing gothic cathedrals, quaint Flemish houses, and the beautiful yet imposing Cloth Hall in the main square with its intricate sculptures, stained-glass windows and gargoyles standing watch over the Grote Markt, or grand square.
If you know your European history, you will know that the Alps and Ardennes to the west and the North Sea to the east has forced European armies to march through Belgium in every war since Julius Caesar first ventured north against the Gallic tribes in 58 BC.