A/N: This is just a one-shot companion piece to Normandy in honor of Memorial Day.

"Magnus, why did you even bring me along for this? It's not like I was really of any help. I don't even speak French." Will had spent the weekend in northern France at a convention with Magnus, mostly listening to her give lectures on abnormal physiology. Which would have been boring enough, but everything was in French. They were driving along the countryside, somewhere near the coastline.

"I am sorry you had to endure that," Magnus admitted, not oblivious to her protégé's boredom. "I did have ulterior motives for bringing you along. Do you know what today is?"

"It's Memorial Day." As Will spoke, he realized where they were headed. "Normandy."

"Yes. Colleville-sur-Mer, to be exact." Will looked puzzled. "You will understand when we get there," Magnus promised.

Twenty minutes later, Will realized where Magnus was taking him. "It's the American cemetery." Thousands of white crosses lined the ground before them as they parked and Magnus led them across the grass.

"Yes. Many of the soldiers who died during the invasion of Normandy are buried here."

"You were there, weren't you?"

"Yes, I was. The Nazis had stolen the plans of a weather device James had designed and were using it to control a Tunisian fire elemental. It was their secret weapon that they believed would change the course of the war." Will let out a low whistle.

"The things they don't teach you in history class."

"Indeed." Magnus agreed.

"How much do you know about your grandfather, Will?" He looked at Magnus, confused.

"Very little. I mean, he died before I was born, and my dad didn't talk about him. Not that we really talked that much." He realized they had stopped walking and were standing in front of one of the crosses. He looked at the inscription and then turned to Magnus in disbelief:

Jack Zimmerman, Captain, 101st Airborne Div.

June 6, 1944

"My grandfather was in World War II? He died on D-Day? You KNEW him?" Magnus gave him a light smile.

"I never met him, but Nigel did. James and I were being held captive in a bunker underneath Carentan, and Nigel recruited your grandfather and the rest of his company to help him free us. Captain Jack Zimmerman died in the firefight. He was…already gone when we were finally freed. His sacrifice saved my life and was instrumental in bringing about a turning point in the war. I promised his men that his sacrifice wouldn't be forgotten, and it hasn't."

Will stood there, trying to sort everything out. "You didn't follow my career so closely because you happened to be tracking an abnormal when my mother was killed. You were there when my mother was killed because you were already watching me."

"You are half right. We were tracking that abnormal when you mother died. Afterwards, I found out your name. Zimmerman is a common last name, but I just had a feeling it couldn't be a coincidence…and I was right. After that, yes, I did keep an eye on you. Partly because I did see your potential, and partly to honor the man who saved our lives."

"So why tell me all this? You aren't exactly known for being forthcoming with information." Helen thought a moment before she answered him.

"Because I knew you didn't know. Because your father wasn't much of a role model to you, and you deserved to know who you are, what was passed down to you. So that you can in turn maybe pass it on to your family one day. So that his sacrifice won't be forgotten."

I think the Sanctuary folks said it well in the dedication at the end of the episode:

"Dedicated to all the men and women who serve in the armed forces. Thank you for giving us sanctuary."