LAVANNES, France — The gesture was simple and unbidden. With two weathered fingers, French farmer Marcel Jonoux softly touched the lined forehead of Los Angeles amateur artist Gustave "Bud" Plochere. "Ah, bon," Jonoux said, tracing an old wound. "C'est bon." It was the second time the two men were meeting. This encounter Saturday was graced with laughter and storytelling, champagne toasts and an exchange of gifts. Dominique Dutartre, mayor of Lavannes, made Plochere an honorary citizen. Plochere presented Jonoux with a plaque. Each man thanked the other, and in the way of men who have seen so much, there were...