[Pharmboy]

Rochambeau's contribution was much more significant because he was an experienced general leading a professional army, with real uniforms and a level of discipline that Washington's motley crew lacked.

I take umbrage at this sentence. While the Continental Army may have been a "motley crew" early on, by 1778 they were a disciplined fighting unit.

[xcamel]

What's next? 5000 statues of John Kerry?

[Pharmboy]

The Washington Family Coat of Arms

Please Freepmail me to get ON or get OFF this RevWar/Colonial History/Gen. Washington ping list

[wizr]

Sounds like another excellent way to throw away taxpayer dollars.

[CatoRenasci]

Indeed. I think the phrase is Keach's not Serge's. I know Serge from the Greenwich ad-hoc group that puts on a solemn Independence Day ceremony here in Greenwich, and he's really a wonderful man, devoted both the the US and France -- well, he did come from France. As much as all of us -- me perhaps foremost -- bash the French, it's good to remember that at a time we needed help, the Kingdom of France provided it, and the blood of some of France's best families was spilled in our cause. Even if French help had more to do with French interests than generosity towards us, it would be niggardly of us to begrudge the Kingdom of France our thanks and gratitude.

Of course, I believe we have paid our debt to the French nation more-than-in-full during their misunderstandings with the Germans during the last century, and that it is now the French who are ingrateful debtors.

By our acknowledgement of, and continuing gratitude for, the valiant efforts of the King of France's army and navy in support of American independence, we show our own greatness and the mean spirit of the modern French.

Our town band, in the independence day ceremony, make a point of playing at least one famous French military march (this year Le Regiment de Sambre et Meuse) to honor their contributions.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I wonder if the fact that I lived in Stamford for awhile has anything to do with my opinion.. perhaps there is something in the water...I digress.

As much as I am one for the occasional dig at the French, they did make very important sacrifices and contributions to the United States,(be it many many years ago-but they are undeniable.)

I agree it is important to honor those sacrifices in a public way and to highlight the history of the American Revolution. Believe me it pains me to think about, considering the attitude of the current French leadership,but- without the aid of France in our early fighting years- where would we be?

Who knows.

[JimRed]

There were more Frenchmen killed at Yorktown than American revolutionaries,"...

And the favor has been repaid, twice in the past century. Next time, let the Germans keep France.

[SunkenCiv]

A "motley crew" that conducted itself so well, that it lost fewer troops at Yorktown. ;')

[aculeus]

Thanks for the ping.

[Sparky1776]

The Conanicut Battery, Newport Harbor

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[kidd]

I think we've repaid this debt to France.

Twice. And then some.