In the Spring of 2004, while on a business visit in Austin to the Texas Historical Commission ("THC"), I also attended the interment in the Texas State Cemetery of the lone French sailor whose remains were recovered when the THC excavated the wreck of LaSalle'e ship, La Belle, in Matagorda Bay.
After all the Texans had had their say, France's Ambassador to the Uniterd States took the mike and officially thanked us on behalf of his government for so honoring his countyman. When he had finished, he turned from the mike to leave -- but then he stopped, returned to the mike, and said,
"NO. I have more to say."
"I have thanked you on behalf of my government; I have done my duty. Now I would speak for myself, a Frenchman. I know there is tension between our governments. In Washington, I eat at places where no French wine is served, and I drive by places where only "Freedom Fries" are sold."
"But know this: the People of France have not forgotten what Americans did for us! In a few weeks, it will be the sixtieth anniversary of the sixth of June, 1944. On that day, watch us closely -- for the grave of every American Serviceman who is buried in the soil of France has been adopted by a French family.
"On that day, My family will visit the grave of Sergeant ....... who is buried near our home. We will have flowers in our hands, [here, his voice started to break] and I will be there, with a prayer in my soul, and with tears in my eyes -- in heartfelt gratitude for what you, our American friends, have sacrificed for me and for my countrymen."
"The People of France will never forget! Thank you! Merci!"
I was there.
You could have heard a pin drop.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
United
...not easy to proofread a blurry screen...
...just sharing an unexpected, but touching, personal experience...
I like that Thanks
I have been to France several times ...no one was rude to me ....
“où est la Burger King”