I didn't know I had a hero living so close to me:
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_3909168
France honors local veteran
By J.J. Huggins
Sentinel & Enterprise
FALL RIVER -- Donald Christian landed on Anzio Beach in Italy and fought his way through Europe 62 years ago, taking part in the massive military campaign that toppled Adolph Hitler's brutal regime.
"I went on to Germany, to Hitler's Burchess Garden, the Eagle's Nest," the 81-year-old Leominster resident said Tuesday.
Sixty-two years later, Christian stood on the deck of the U.S.S. Massachusetts Tuesday afternoon and received France's highest military award, the Legion of Honor.
Clad in formal U.S. Army attire, he saluted after the Consulate General of France in Boston, Francois Gauthier, pinned the silver and gold medal on his chest.
Gauthier honored Christian and three other World War II veterans from New England Tuesday, the 62nd anniversary of D-Day.
Christian beamed as his family, friends and several Leominster city officials who traveled the 90 miles to attend the ceremony congratulated him at the end of the ceremony.
"I'm all shook up," he said when asked how he felt.
France began honoring American veterans with the prestigious award two years ago on the 60th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy, Gauthier said.
"It's the highest distinction in France," he said. "It's only a very few (who receive it) every year. It's a very distinctive award, and I would say, well-deserved in this case."
Ward 3 City Councilor Claire M. Freda called the award "remarkable."
"He's so humble and just so loyal to his country and city," she said.
Freda has known Christian for years.
Her husband, Ronald -- who died in 1997 from injuries related to his service in Vietnam -- and Christian were longtime friends.
Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella agreed the medal is special.
"The guy has to be pretty honored and humbled, sitting on the deck of the U.S.S. Massachusetts," Mazzarella said. "This is much more than showing up in some little room and getting a certificate."
Both Mazzarella and Richard N. Voutour, the Director of Veterans' Services in Leominster, said they don't know of any other veterans in Leominster who have received the medal.
"This speaks highly of Leominster's veterans' community and talks highly of their self sacrifice," Voutour said. "He's part of that greatest generation, and they just keep giving."
Christian's younger brother, Leo T. Christian, 77, and nephew, Leo D. Christian, 53, also attended the event.
Leo T. Christian used one word to describe how the 81-year-old's family feels about Christian's service: "Proud."
"He deserves it. He went through a lot," he said.
Christian was the second-to-youngest of seven boys and three girls while growing up in Fitchburg.
He returned home from the war and took care of his mother before getting married.
He had no children, and his wife has since died, according to his family members.
He now lives on Central Street in Leominster.
His older brother, Frank, also served in World War II and made it home safely. He is now deceased.
A crowd of about 75 people consisting of supporters of the honorees, military personnel and media, gathered on the warship.
Christian served in Europe for two years, and recalled liberating the Dachau Concentration camp in Germany.
"I remember seeing the people half starved to death," he said.
Gauthier addressed the recipients of the medals while standing at a podium under three huge cannons on the ship's deck, while an American flag and a French flag waved behind him.
He said he spoke on behalf of French President Jacques Chirac and the people of France.
"We feel honored to express our gratitude to you," he said. "France and Europe owe a great debt to each of you. Without you, my country would not be the peaceful and free country it is now. France will never forget."
Napoleon Bonaparte created the Legion of Honor medal in 1802 to recognize the "eminent service of the individual to the Republic," Gauthier said.
http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/ci_3909168
France honors local veteran
By J.J. Huggins
Sentinel & Enterprise
FALL RIVER -- Donald Christian landed on Anzio Beach in Italy and fought his way through Europe 62 years ago, taking part in the massive military campaign that toppled Adolph Hitler's brutal regime.
"I went on to Germany, to Hitler's Burchess Garden, the Eagle's Nest," the 81-year-old Leominster resident said Tuesday.
Sixty-two years later, Christian stood on the deck of the U.S.S. Massachusetts Tuesday afternoon and received France's highest military award, the Legion of Honor.
Clad in formal U.S. Army attire, he saluted after the Consulate General of France in Boston, Francois Gauthier, pinned the silver and gold medal on his chest.
Gauthier honored Christian and three other World War II veterans from New England Tuesday, the 62nd anniversary of D-Day.
Christian beamed as his family, friends and several Leominster city officials who traveled the 90 miles to attend the ceremony congratulated him at the end of the ceremony.
"I'm all shook up," he said when asked how he felt.
France began honoring American veterans with the prestigious award two years ago on the 60th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy, Gauthier said.
"It's the highest distinction in France," he said. "It's only a very few (who receive it) every year. It's a very distinctive award, and I would say, well-deserved in this case."
Ward 3 City Councilor Claire M. Freda called the award "remarkable."
"He's so humble and just so loyal to his country and city," she said.
Freda has known Christian for years.
Her husband, Ronald -- who died in 1997 from injuries related to his service in Vietnam -- and Christian were longtime friends.
Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella agreed the medal is special.
"The guy has to be pretty honored and humbled, sitting on the deck of the U.S.S. Massachusetts," Mazzarella said. "This is much more than showing up in some little room and getting a certificate."
Both Mazzarella and Richard N. Voutour, the Director of Veterans' Services in Leominster, said they don't know of any other veterans in Leominster who have received the medal.
"This speaks highly of Leominster's veterans' community and talks highly of their self sacrifice," Voutour said. "He's part of that greatest generation, and they just keep giving."
Christian's younger brother, Leo T. Christian, 77, and nephew, Leo D. Christian, 53, also attended the event.
Leo T. Christian used one word to describe how the 81-year-old's family feels about Christian's service: "Proud."
"He deserves it. He went through a lot," he said.
Christian was the second-to-youngest of seven boys and three girls while growing up in Fitchburg.
He returned home from the war and took care of his mother before getting married.
He had no children, and his wife has since died, according to his family members.
He now lives on Central Street in Leominster.
His older brother, Frank, also served in World War II and made it home safely. He is now deceased.
A crowd of about 75 people consisting of supporters of the honorees, military personnel and media, gathered on the warship.
Christian served in Europe for two years, and recalled liberating the Dachau Concentration camp in Germany.
"I remember seeing the people half starved to death," he said.
Gauthier addressed the recipients of the medals while standing at a podium under three huge cannons on the ship's deck, while an American flag and a French flag waved behind him.
He said he spoke on behalf of French President Jacques Chirac and the people of France.
"We feel honored to express our gratitude to you," he said. "France and Europe owe a great debt to each of you. Without you, my country would not be the peaceful and free country it is now. France will never forget."
Napoleon Bonaparte created the Legion of Honor medal in 1802 to recognize the "eminent service of the individual to the Republic," Gauthier said.
![[smile]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/001.gif "Smile [smile]")
His family wasn't interested at all.![[thinking]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/010.gif "Thinking [thinking]")
