Let me tell you about my Saturday

Pilgrim

Pilgrim

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Many of you know that my 81 year old Dad is a D-Day veteran. A while back he received a letter from the French Embassy in DC that he had been awarded the title of Chevalier (Knight) in the French Legion of Honor ! The French Consulate in Boston arranged for an awards ceremoney to be held on Lextington Battle Green last Saturday, My father joined 8 other veterans in receiving this award which is authorized by the French President.

As the U.S. Navy band played, three young French Army Lieutenants, in full dress uniforms, escorted the veterans to the front of the assemblage

The Consul General said "The Legion of Honor was created by Napoleon, in 1802, to acknowledge services rendered to France by persons of great merit. The French people will never forget your courage and your devotion to the great cause of Freedom.This award testifies to the President of the French Republic's high esteem for your merits and accomplishments. In particular, it is a sign of France's true and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation for your personal, precious contribution to the United State's decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II." Letters from French Pres.Jacque Cherac and Pres Bush were read.

Among the speakers there to honor these men were Rear Admiral Jacob L. Shuford, representing the Secretary of the Navy, Major General Arthur J. Rooney, representing the Secretary of the Air Force and Colonel Robert Elliot, representing the Secretary of the Army.



Major General Rooney described the Legion of Honor as the French equivalent of the Medal of Honor.


Here's some photos:

The award:
medal.jpg


A French Lt escorted each honoree:
lt.jpg


The French Consul General pins the Cross on my Dad. He still has his original uniform !

pinning.jpg


Lexington Battle Green

green.jpg


Several French children gave the honorees flowers of thanks

kids.jpg


My mother and father after the ceremony. Both look pretty good for 81, huh?

2.jpg


After the formal parts were over, we all went to a reception given by the French Consulate. At that reception, I had the honor to meet and spend a couple of hours talking with Mohammed Al Rahaief. He is the Iraqi laywer who discovered where Jessica Lynch was being held and risked his life and that of his family going back and forth between the Army and his town to help arrange her rescue. We had a very interesting time together. He gave me an autographed copy of his book about his life in Iraq. He is living in DC now.


mohammed.jpg



Needless to say it was a very emotional, very interesting day.

Do I have to say I'm proud of my Dad?
 
Wow, that's great Dennis! I remember you mentioning the letter a while back...It's nice to see that everything came through well. Looks like it was a beautiful day. Yes, they look great for 81!
 
Those are some outstanding photographs, thank you for sharing them with us. It looks like it was a very nice ceremony. My sincere thanks to your father for his service.
 
That is awesome. [smile] Yes they look great for their age. Must have been quite an honor to have been able to be there and share that with your Dad.
What is the name of the book by the way? Would love to get it and read it.
 
Congrats. Am I correct that your father was wearing what I consider is perhaps the highest honor -- a Combat Infantryman's Badge?
 
Dennis - that was awesome!! Thanks so much for posting those. I welled up a bit too...made me think of my dad. He was a WWII vet too. (Naval Air) Tell your dad Thank you for me?? [smile]
 
I was wondering when this was going to happen. Your dad looks so proud! Great pictures and an experience not soon forgotten. Pass on my congratulations to your father.
 
Those pictures sent shivers down my spine! BTW -- he's still an impressive and imposing figure!

My mother was a German native in the War, and Dad was there for the Occupation. She always told me, despite the horrors she saw, and endured, that she was thankful for all the Allies did for her and the German people. Please pass her thanks to him for her. She grew up in Aalen, and passed 4 years ago come January.
 
Wow. What an amazing day!

To be in the company of so many true heroes who risked it ALL for justice and righteousness. Simply humbling.

I am doubly impressed by the courage of Mr. Al Rahaief. A civilian who could have very easily (and understandably) overlooked what was going on around him, yet his risked not just himself but his own family to do the right thing.

Definitely the kind of immigrant we need and want.
 
That was certainly a great moment.

Please thank your Dad for his service. To have to do what they did on D-Day required so very much courage. They had so many unknowns to face as well as the uncertainty that they would even be alive at the end of that horrendous day..

They truly deserve our thanks and gratitude.

Your Dad looks great for his age. And that uniform still fits him!

Dennis, thanks for sharing this with us.

Larry Aubin

Life member: VFW
Life member: America Legion
Member: Blackstone Valley Nam Vets
Member: Maspenock Rod & Gun Club
Member: GOAL
Member: NRA
 
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