The Legion of Honor cont.
From the award ceremony, we were taken to a luncheon sponsored by the French American society. we were seated at large tables, each of which, was hosted by either a French or American dignitary. I have never rubbed elbows with so many important people. our table was hosted by Louis Gescard D's tang, the son of a former president of France, and himself, a deputy to the congress. other hosts included secy of vet affairs, tony principi, senators, warner, leahy, madame michele alliot-marie and too many others to mention.
an elegant woman, with poise, charm and grace.
It was here that I became aware of the stringent security cloaking the entire four days of ceremonies.. so that I would not be encumbered with my camera during lunch, I placed it on a shelf behind our table. a security man, posing as a photographer, became visibly agitated about the camera and questioned the waiter who shrugged and pointed towards me. I thought I was in real trouble until he explained, he was concerned that the camera was pointing directly at secy principi. It was unfortunate that theses ceremonies had to be conducted under such circumstances but also reassuring that security was ever alert.
the group then went on a sightseeing tour of Paris while we tried to make contact with our girls. with the efforts of the diligently solicitous concierge staff, we were finally able to make connection and brought them over to the hotel for dinner.
completely exhausted, we retired for the evening in preparation for
THE LONGEST DAY
JUNE 6 2004
we were awakened at 3:00am to board the shore train at 4:30 hours. the only other time I arose to take part in an event at such an uncivilized hour, was for the original trip to that beach, 60 years ago. now at 4:00 in the morning, you would expect most people to be snug in their beds. not Paris. I was amazed to find most of the cabarets and restaurants in full flourish with mobs of people sitting at sidewalk tables or just walking about. this city never sleeps. the French have a way of life, a "joie de vivre", that I think you French speaking people out there understand. they enjoy life, like no other ethnic group, and savor every waking moment.
there was not time for breakfast but the hotel anticipating this problem prepared a sort of box lunch to be eaten on the train. It was an uneventful two and a half hour trip to caen, a city that was all but destroyed during the war. but the French have a deep sense of tradition and most of the buildings were reconstructed to the original architecture. It's a new city but looks old.
from caen, we boarded buses for the beach area. It's maybe a 70 or 80 mile trip and the different levels of security were highly visible, from the local constabulary police who blocked off every feeder road, to the gendarmaire who escorted the convoy. at strategic points along the highway, there were civilian and military rescue units stationed to handle any emergency, as it might arise, in minimal time.
TEARS OF HEARTBREAK
TEARS OF JOY
our arrival at the cemetery, as always, was a solemn time of reminiscence. beneath all these antiseptically sterile white markers, lie the remains of over 9,000 young men who never really had a chance to live. the broken dreams of thousands left behind. the heartache of a nation that will never forget the sacrifices they made in the defense of liberty. this hallowed place overlooks the beach where the heaviest fighting occurred. It is fitting tribute that these brave men lie in eternal repose, in this sanctified ground, above the place where they offered their sacred lives to restore sanity in a world gone mad.
because of strict scheduling commitments, we were unable to go down to the beach. perhaps it was for the better.
the beach is peaceful now, gone are the horrible sights, sounds and stench of this ancient killing ground. the pristine silence is broken only by the soft murmur of waves gently falling upon the shattered remnants of a battle long relegated to the pages of history. but just to be here brings back the living hell of horror and carnage and a battlefield littered with the inert forms of the dead, who only a moment earlier, were frightened but eager young men. I shall never again return to this place nor shall I permit my mind to dwell upon the tragic events of that fateful day, when the earth stood still.
the joint French-American commemorative service was held in here in weather infinitely better than it was 60 years ago. presidents bush and chirac delivered tributes to all the vets with special emphasis towards the legion of honor recipients.
after his talk, the pres came down to mingle with the vets and talk, man to man. I was asked to analyze his handshake and I found it to be firm, dry and confident. unfortunately, a blind vet, sitting next to me, got lost in the shuffle and missed the president. I could see the disappointment in his face and I asked did he want to meet the pres. his face lit up and he nodded vigorously. I took him by the hand and bulled my way through the crowd of photographers and came upon the pres from behind. I took hold of his left shoulder and spun him around, unceremoniously, and said," Mr. president, I have a blind vet here who would like to shake your hand". despite the abrupt introduction, he was very gracious and spent several moments talking with my friend. meanwhile, I expected the wrath of the secret service to fall upon my head. but I skated by that one. It gave me one hell of a jolt to be the instrument by which this man would remember this day. he saw nothing but he got to talk with the president. It would have been worth what ever penalty I might have had to pay.
our services here, have been concluded and now we make our way to aromanches, for the official 14 nation ceremony. an interesting side bar. chirac had invited putin and schroeder to participate in the commemoration. herr schroeder gave a moving talk about the German culpability for the war and how they have been trying, ever since, to rejoin the civilized world as a contributing partner. they even had German marching units. very impressive. the highlight of this event was the arrival of queen Elizabeth. she drew more audience response that any other head of state.
the rest of the program was given over to performances from various member countries which included fly bys. 10 out of the 14 fly bys were American f-14's. we might have enjoyed this a whole lot more had we not been so bone weary. we now started our long journey back to Paris, arriving well after midnight. It was a 22 hour
experience, truly, the longest day.
officially, our participation in the 60th anniversary is concluded and the following day found us preparing for the journey home. our return trip was not without it's element of dramatic impact. our flight out of de gaulle was delayed an hour and a half when suspicious baggage was discovered. It was removed and we returned without further incident.
this has been a memorable occasion, far exceeding the reception we received at the 50th. I can't say enough about the French people. they were warm, friendly, and genuinely appreciative of our contribution to their freedom. before anyone condemns these people for a perceived arrogance, I would cite the old quotation, "walk a mile in their shoes". we, as Americans, have little understanding of the Muslim influence in France. the French government must make foreign policy decisions that considers the welfare of all it's citizens, just as we do. It is unfortunate that these decisions do not coincide with ours. but this is a rapidly changing world and we must learn to adapt to conditions that are not necessarily favorable to American interests.
the monumental logistics of these four days, were handled, very efficiently, by French, reserve army personnel. I must commend these volunteers for a job well done in herding this eclectic group of vets.
I am william george pepe, chevalier and I thank you for permitting me to share this moment in time with you.
an elegant woman, with poise, charm and grace.
It was here that I became aware of the stringent security cloaking the entire four days of ceremonies.. so that I would not be encumbered with my camera during lunch, I placed it on a shelf behind our table. a security man, posing as a photographer, became visibly agitated about the camera and questioned the waiter who shrugged and pointed towards me. I thought I was in real trouble until he explained, he was concerned that the camera was pointing directly at secy principi. It was unfortunate that theses ceremonies had to be conducted under such circumstances but also reassuring that security was ever alert.
the group then went on a sightseeing tour of Paris while we tried to make contact with our girls. with the efforts of the diligently solicitous concierge staff, we were finally able to make connection and brought them over to the hotel for dinner.
completely exhausted, we retired for the evening in preparation for
THE LONGEST DAY
JUNE 6 2004
we were awakened at 3:00am to board the shore train at 4:30 hours. the only other time I arose to take part in an event at such an uncivilized hour, was for the original trip to that beach, 60 years ago. now at 4:00 in the morning, you would expect most people to be snug in their beds. not Paris. I was amazed to find most of the cabarets and restaurants in full flourish with mobs of people sitting at sidewalk tables or just walking about. this city never sleeps. the French have a way of life, a "joie de vivre", that I think you French speaking people out there understand. they enjoy life, like no other ethnic group, and savor every waking moment.
there was not time for breakfast but the hotel anticipating this problem prepared a sort of box lunch to be eaten on the train. It was an uneventful two and a half hour trip to caen, a city that was all but destroyed during the war. but the French have a deep sense of tradition and most of the buildings were reconstructed to the original architecture. It's a new city but looks old.
from caen, we boarded buses for the beach area. It's maybe a 70 or 80 mile trip and the different levels of security were highly visible, from the local constabulary police who blocked off every feeder road, to the gendarmaire who escorted the convoy. at strategic points along the highway, there were civilian and military rescue units stationed to handle any emergency, as it might arise, in minimal time.
TEARS OF HEARTBREAK
TEARS OF JOY
our arrival at the cemetery, as always, was a solemn time of reminiscence. beneath all these antiseptically sterile white markers, lie the remains of over 9,000 young men who never really had a chance to live. the broken dreams of thousands left behind. the heartache of a nation that will never forget the sacrifices they made in the defense of liberty. this hallowed place overlooks the beach where the heaviest fighting occurred. It is fitting tribute that these brave men lie in eternal repose, in this sanctified ground, above the place where they offered their sacred lives to restore sanity in a world gone mad.
because of strict scheduling commitments, we were unable to go down to the beach. perhaps it was for the better.
the beach is peaceful now, gone are the horrible sights, sounds and stench of this ancient killing ground. the pristine silence is broken only by the soft murmur of waves gently falling upon the shattered remnants of a battle long relegated to the pages of history. but just to be here brings back the living hell of horror and carnage and a battlefield littered with the inert forms of the dead, who only a moment earlier, were frightened but eager young men. I shall never again return to this place nor shall I permit my mind to dwell upon the tragic events of that fateful day, when the earth stood still.
the joint French-American commemorative service was held in here in weather infinitely better than it was 60 years ago. presidents bush and chirac delivered tributes to all the vets with special emphasis towards the legion of honor recipients.
after his talk, the pres came down to mingle with the vets and talk, man to man. I was asked to analyze his handshake and I found it to be firm, dry and confident. unfortunately, a blind vet, sitting next to me, got lost in the shuffle and missed the president. I could see the disappointment in his face and I asked did he want to meet the pres. his face lit up and he nodded vigorously. I took him by the hand and bulled my way through the crowd of photographers and came upon the pres from behind. I took hold of his left shoulder and spun him around, unceremoniously, and said," Mr. president, I have a blind vet here who would like to shake your hand". despite the abrupt introduction, he was very gracious and spent several moments talking with my friend. meanwhile, I expected the wrath of the secret service to fall upon my head. but I skated by that one. It gave me one hell of a jolt to be the instrument by which this man would remember this day. he saw nothing but he got to talk with the president. It would have been worth what ever penalty I might have had to pay.
our services here, have been concluded and now we make our way to aromanches, for the official 14 nation ceremony. an interesting side bar. chirac had invited putin and schroeder to participate in the commemoration. herr schroeder gave a moving talk about the German culpability for the war and how they have been trying, ever since, to rejoin the civilized world as a contributing partner. they even had German marching units. very impressive. the highlight of this event was the arrival of queen Elizabeth. she drew more audience response that any other head of state.
the rest of the program was given over to performances from various member countries which included fly bys. 10 out of the 14 fly bys were American f-14's. we might have enjoyed this a whole lot more had we not been so bone weary. we now started our long journey back to Paris, arriving well after midnight. It was a 22 hour
experience, truly, the longest day.
officially, our participation in the 60th anniversary is concluded and the following day found us preparing for the journey home. our return trip was not without it's element of dramatic impact. our flight out of de gaulle was delayed an hour and a half when suspicious baggage was discovered. It was removed and we returned without further incident.
this has been a memorable occasion, far exceeding the reception we received at the 50th. I can't say enough about the French people. they were warm, friendly, and genuinely appreciative of our contribution to their freedom. before anyone condemns these people for a perceived arrogance, I would cite the old quotation, "walk a mile in their shoes". we, as Americans, have little understanding of the Muslim influence in France. the French government must make foreign policy decisions that considers the welfare of all it's citizens, just as we do. It is unfortunate that these decisions do not coincide with ours. but this is a rapidly changing world and we must learn to adapt to conditions that are not necessarily favorable to American interests.
the monumental logistics of these four days, were handled, very efficiently, by French, reserve army personnel. I must commend these volunteers for a job well done in herding this eclectic group of vets.
I am william george pepe, chevalier and I thank you for permitting me to share this moment in time with you.