"The Legion of Honor"
Paris France
GENESIS,
Our French hosts, constantly alluded to the "longest day" and I thought they were making reference to the motion picture of the same name. Little did I realize that June 6th 2004 would indeed be the longest day, surpassing the original D Day by several hours. but let me start at the beginning.
This all started with a phone call from Washington.
I was invited, as one of 100 D day veterans, to return to France for the 60th anniversary of D day to receive investiture into the French legion of honor. Originally, I was rather reluctant to accept for I didn't think anything could surpass the reception we received at the 50th anniversary commemoration. but since the French were picking up the entire tab, for me and my wife, I decided, an all expenses paid vacation in France would be too good to turn down.
None of us has any idea as to how or why we were selected but as I reflect back on that brief trip, I am grateful that my name was included.
Our return to France began with a small reception at the Marriott hotel at Dulles airport, primarily to check baggage and meet other returning vets. from this place, we then motored to where the official start of our fantastic voyage would begin, the French embassy in Washington. there was a large reception already in progress as we entered the very upscale building. we met several of the people who would be our traveling companions and official hosts for the remainder of the trip. champagne literally flowed like water and the hors d'oeuvres were as only the French could prepare. after all, they invented this delicacy and I probably ate stuff I would not normally consider. everything was exquisitely delicious but all too soon, we had to make our reluctant departure for our flight, the magic carpet, that would take us on a venture
unequal to anything I have ever previously experienced. once aboard our chartered plane, we became acquainted, once again, with that famous French hospitality. the flight attendants were actually pleasant and lavishly considerate. we had more champagne and a superb meal with first class treatment, all the way to France. even the pilot cooperated by making the flight as smooth as a ride in a limousine.
upon landing in France, we were literally given the red carpet treatment
and if you caught this on TV, I am in front with the red haired lady who is my wife. we were escorted to a special reception area and another small party where we were presented with the start of a never ending flow of gifts. you can see my wife holding a blue bag which included the first of many bottles of champagne. the French people were so generously lavish, we had to buy another traveling bag to hold the many wonderful gifts showered upon us.
we then boarded the buses for our individual hotels and wherever we went, we had a police escort and I would suspect this was primarily for security reasons rather than our celebrity status.
CASTLES IN THE SKY
as we approached the hotel, the traffic was backed up, with people in the street, applauding. I had a strange feeling of, "de-ja vu" for it seemed like 1994 all over again, when we returned to France for the 50th anniversary. this was our first exposure to the warm embrace of the general public and it would take some time to adjust to the significance as to why we are here.
the entire staff of the George V hotel was lined up almost in military precision from the chefs on the right to the chambermaids to the left and everyone else in between and, of course, the ubiquitous press. this hotel is the most elegant in all of Paris and by extension, France. the word "opulence" was invented for this edifice. everything is marble from floors, walls and ceilings. tapestries, in the lobby, date back to the 14th century. and the rooms are unbelievable. we stayed in the "Gary cooper" suite with a 5ft crystal chandelier over the huge bed. there was a bottle of champagne, in a cooler, with flutes and delicate cookies awaiting our arrival and every day as we returned to the room, there was another bottle.
along side the desk, was a small table that held a tin of cookies, a box of chocolates and a cedar casket that measured about a foot long and four inches down either side. I originally thought this to be cigars.
I opened the box and lo and behold, another bottle of champagne. ah, but not just another bottle of champagne. I was reluctant to open this bottle for when I investigated the mini bar price list, I found that a small can of American beer cost eleven bucks. when I questioned the concierge, he said, "ah no monsieur, this bottle is a gift". I later met monsieur perrier, not the water man but the champagne man who explained the significance of the bottle. apparently, immediately after the war, the perrier family discovered Hitler's private wine cellar. this bottle was liberated 60 years ago and it was the perrier family who thought enough of the returning vets to make this presentation. not all the vets got this champagne, however, only those of us staying at the George V, about 20. incidentally, sen mc govern was also among the guests staying at this hotel as a projected recipient of the legion of honor award. the hotel management also extended a credit of 1944 euro dollars to each of the vets, which converts to about $2200.00 American. we were free to spend this money on anything sold in the hotel. my wife found the boutique quite interesting, while I was eating hundred dollar breakfasts. a note in passing, minimum cost per room is $1000.00 per night with the French govt picking up the entire tab. I could very easily get used to that life style.
the evening was given over to another reception, hosted by the George V hotel, which featured a, "big band" and, "Andrews sisters", (French version) who did a remarkable job of creating a 40's atmosphere. more champagne and more French goodies to eat. and yes, we did sing, "we'll meet again". It was here I met monsieur perrier who told me the legend of the bottle of champagne.
LEGION OF HONOR
the presentation ceremony was held at the hotel
des invaldes, a huge military complex in the heart of Paris. It is where napoleon and several other French leaders are buried. the ceremony is a solemn, military exercise, including elite elements from all of the military services. including the palace, horse guard,
to the foreign legion.
we were seated in three rows with space for passage, between.
the ceremony began with the presentation of colors, followed by a parade of the gathered military units, after which, the presentations were made.
for one brief, electrifying moment, as this medal is being pinned to my chest, time was frozen in space and I was transported to a place known to very few people where I stood in the shadow of giants. within these hallowed walls, the ghosts of so many long departed French patriots flashed before my eyes in an unending parade of glory. Charlemagne, ruler of the holy roman empire, Joan
d'arc, the maid of Orleans, who unwittingly unified France through her martyrdom, William the conqueror, who brought civilization and culture to the barbaric masses of england. Lafayette, the savior of the American revolution, Charles de Gaulle, who awarded me the Croix d guerre avec palme and yes, even napoleon who made all this possible when he established the legion of honor -- and the line goes on ----
we are gathered here today to become part of this glorious history and I am at a loss to describe the extreme range of emotions that surge throughout my being. to say that I am honored and proud to be part of this great heritage would be a monumental understatement but I do not know how better to express my humble gratitude to the people of France for allowing me to walk among such a magnificent company of heroes ------- but this is not about me or the other 99 D day veterans gathered here today. this ceremony embraces a much broader scope that includes all of the people of two great countries together in recognition of the extreme and in too many cases, ultimate sacrifices so many brave, young Americans made towards the restoration of freedom in Europe. we are here today, not to be recognized as individual heroes but as representatives of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who were part of this great crusade. It is my great honor to accept this award for all of those people who could not be here today.
the original ceremony had us marching in between the horse guard but the horses would not cooperate so we were seated without fanfare.
the medals were awarded by the minister of defense and her staff, each, in turn, a chevalier of the order of the legion of honor. later, madame michele alliot-maire, the minister of defense,
personally congratulated each veteran with genuine tears in her eyes.
It was a totally moving experience that has left an impression upon my heart and mind that will remain with me until I too, become a memory.
unfortunately, because of incompatible scheduling, my two daughters were unable to attend the ceremony. I further regret that my heroic son could not share this glorious moment with me. he would have been proud. there was, however,enough honor awarded on this day to include him and the rest of my family. It was with a great deal of pride and humility that I accepted this award, not only for myself, but for the hundreds of thousands of veterans who were part of the restoration of, "liberte, egalite and fraternite".
Our French hosts, constantly alluded to the "longest day" and I thought they were making reference to the motion picture of the same name. Little did I realize that June 6th 2004 would indeed be the longest day, surpassing the original D Day by several hours. but let me start at the beginning.
This all started with a phone call from Washington.
I was invited, as one of 100 D day veterans, to return to France for the 60th anniversary of D day to receive investiture into the French legion of honor. Originally, I was rather reluctant to accept for I didn't think anything could surpass the reception we received at the 50th anniversary commemoration. but since the French were picking up the entire tab, for me and my wife, I decided, an all expenses paid vacation in France would be too good to turn down.
None of us has any idea as to how or why we were selected but as I reflect back on that brief trip, I am grateful that my name was included.
Our return to France began with a small reception at the Marriott hotel at Dulles airport, primarily to check baggage and meet other returning vets. from this place, we then motored to where the official start of our fantastic voyage would begin, the French embassy in Washington. there was a large reception already in progress as we entered the very upscale building. we met several of the people who would be our traveling companions and official hosts for the remainder of the trip. champagne literally flowed like water and the hors d'oeuvres were as only the French could prepare. after all, they invented this delicacy and I probably ate stuff I would not normally consider. everything was exquisitely delicious but all too soon, we had to make our reluctant departure for our flight, the magic carpet, that would take us on a venture
unequal to anything I have ever previously experienced. once aboard our chartered plane, we became acquainted, once again, with that famous French hospitality. the flight attendants were actually pleasant and lavishly considerate. we had more champagne and a superb meal with first class treatment, all the way to France. even the pilot cooperated by making the flight as smooth as a ride in a limousine.
upon landing in France, we were literally given the red carpet treatment
and if you caught this on TV, I am in front with the red haired lady who is my wife. we were escorted to a special reception area and another small party where we were presented with the start of a never ending flow of gifts. you can see my wife holding a blue bag which included the first of many bottles of champagne. the French people were so generously lavish, we had to buy another traveling bag to hold the many wonderful gifts showered upon us.
we then boarded the buses for our individual hotels and wherever we went, we had a police escort and I would suspect this was primarily for security reasons rather than our celebrity status.
CASTLES IN THE SKY
as we approached the hotel, the traffic was backed up, with people in the street, applauding. I had a strange feeling of, "de-ja vu" for it seemed like 1994 all over again, when we returned to France for the 50th anniversary. this was our first exposure to the warm embrace of the general public and it would take some time to adjust to the significance as to why we are here.
the entire staff of the George V hotel was lined up almost in military precision from the chefs on the right to the chambermaids to the left and everyone else in between and, of course, the ubiquitous press. this hotel is the most elegant in all of Paris and by extension, France. the word "opulence" was invented for this edifice. everything is marble from floors, walls and ceilings. tapestries, in the lobby, date back to the 14th century. and the rooms are unbelievable. we stayed in the "Gary cooper" suite with a 5ft crystal chandelier over the huge bed. there was a bottle of champagne, in a cooler, with flutes and delicate cookies awaiting our arrival and every day as we returned to the room, there was another bottle.
along side the desk, was a small table that held a tin of cookies, a box of chocolates and a cedar casket that measured about a foot long and four inches down either side. I originally thought this to be cigars.
I opened the box and lo and behold, another bottle of champagne. ah, but not just another bottle of champagne. I was reluctant to open this bottle for when I investigated the mini bar price list, I found that a small can of American beer cost eleven bucks. when I questioned the concierge, he said, "ah no monsieur, this bottle is a gift". I later met monsieur perrier, not the water man but the champagne man who explained the significance of the bottle. apparently, immediately after the war, the perrier family discovered Hitler's private wine cellar. this bottle was liberated 60 years ago and it was the perrier family who thought enough of the returning vets to make this presentation. not all the vets got this champagne, however, only those of us staying at the George V, about 20. incidentally, sen mc govern was also among the guests staying at this hotel as a projected recipient of the legion of honor award. the hotel management also extended a credit of 1944 euro dollars to each of the vets, which converts to about $2200.00 American. we were free to spend this money on anything sold in the hotel. my wife found the boutique quite interesting, while I was eating hundred dollar breakfasts. a note in passing, minimum cost per room is $1000.00 per night with the French govt picking up the entire tab. I could very easily get used to that life style.
the evening was given over to another reception, hosted by the George V hotel, which featured a, "big band" and, "Andrews sisters", (French version) who did a remarkable job of creating a 40's atmosphere. more champagne and more French goodies to eat. and yes, we did sing, "we'll meet again". It was here I met monsieur perrier who told me the legend of the bottle of champagne.
LEGION OF HONOR
the presentation ceremony was held at the hotel
des invaldes, a huge military complex in the heart of Paris. It is where napoleon and several other French leaders are buried. the ceremony is a solemn, military exercise, including elite elements from all of the military services. including the palace, horse guard,
to the foreign legion.
we were seated in three rows with space for passage, between.
the ceremony began with the presentation of colors, followed by a parade of the gathered military units, after which, the presentations were made.
for one brief, electrifying moment, as this medal is being pinned to my chest, time was frozen in space and I was transported to a place known to very few people where I stood in the shadow of giants. within these hallowed walls, the ghosts of so many long departed French patriots flashed before my eyes in an unending parade of glory. Charlemagne, ruler of the holy roman empire, Joan
d'arc, the maid of Orleans, who unwittingly unified France through her martyrdom, William the conqueror, who brought civilization and culture to the barbaric masses of england. Lafayette, the savior of the American revolution, Charles de Gaulle, who awarded me the Croix d guerre avec palme and yes, even napoleon who made all this possible when he established the legion of honor -- and the line goes on ----
we are gathered here today to become part of this glorious history and I am at a loss to describe the extreme range of emotions that surge throughout my being. to say that I am honored and proud to be part of this great heritage would be a monumental understatement but I do not know how better to express my humble gratitude to the people of France for allowing me to walk among such a magnificent company of heroes ------- but this is not about me or the other 99 D day veterans gathered here today. this ceremony embraces a much broader scope that includes all of the people of two great countries together in recognition of the extreme and in too many cases, ultimate sacrifices so many brave, young Americans made towards the restoration of freedom in Europe. we are here today, not to be recognized as individual heroes but as representatives of the hundreds of thousands of Americans who were part of this great crusade. It is my great honor to accept this award for all of those people who could not be here today.
the original ceremony had us marching in between the horse guard but the horses would not cooperate so we were seated without fanfare.
the medals were awarded by the minister of defense and her staff, each, in turn, a chevalier of the order of the legion of honor. later, madame michele alliot-maire, the minister of defense,
personally congratulated each veteran with genuine tears in her eyes.
It was a totally moving experience that has left an impression upon my heart and mind that will remain with me until I too, become a memory.
unfortunately, because of incompatible scheduling, my two daughters were unable to attend the ceremony. I further regret that my heroic son could not share this glorious moment with me. he would have been proud. there was, however,enough honor awarded on this day to include him and the rest of my family. It was with a great deal of pride and humility that I accepted this award, not only for myself, but for the hundreds of thousands of veterans who were part of the restoration of, "liberte, egalite and fraternite".