The shutdown in Washington, DC had embarrassing repercussions in the Lorraine region of France. The largest World War II Military Cemetery was closed to visitors. Unfortunately, if someone made the trek to the cemetery to pay respects to an individual brave soldier (for some U. S visitors- a once in a lifetime event to visit a friend, an uncle, or even a father) , a simple note on the gate told the person that there would be no entry during this time of congressional debate.