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Post by jeffwho on Feb 25, 2016 13:29:43 GMT -5
I know I've mentioned "Sarge" about a million times, but it dawned on me that I never created an entry here. He comes to all the living history displays that we do, and most times wears a uniform with his ribbons and medals and 36th insignia. It's been a lot of fun helping him find original 142nd Regiment DUI, web gear and just sit and talk with him over breakfast - always Hardee's biscuits and gravy. He's a shadetree mechanic and I love to drive him around in the jeep anytime I can.
Anyway, there couldn't be a better time to write:
Last week a letter arrived in the mail requesting the honor of his presence at the State House in Columbia, South Carolina on March 11, 2016, for the presentation of the French Legion of Honor medal.
"In order to express France’s eternal gratitude to those who liberated it from oppression from 1944-45, Consul General Denis Barbet will honor 6 American WWII veterans from South Carolina and North Carolina with the French Legion of Honor during a ceremony at the South Carolina State House on March 11, 2016.
The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it recognizes eminent services to the French Republic. Recipients of this honor are designated by the President of the Republic, François Hollande.
“It is a tremendous honor for me to thank, on behalf of my country, the American veterans who participated in the liberation of France more than 70 years ago,” said Consul General Barbet. “We wish to give these men their due honor and to assure them that the French people have not forgotten their heroic service. We are forever grateful to them.”
What an honor to know him and call him my friend.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2016 13:38:24 GMT -5
The National Order of the Legion of Honor is the highest honor in France. Founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it recognizes eminent services to the French Republic.
When you break it down and really think about these words..."the highest honor", the magnitude of how much of a big deal this is becomes amazing. Reverse the roles and think about it from our own point of view and what must happen for our own government to do something similar.
Way to go, Sarge...and to all of his brothers, as well.
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Post by zooke581 on Feb 25, 2016 21:44:57 GMT -5
Was Bernard Marie instrumental in getting this for him? A profound congrats!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2016 5:29:44 GMT -5
Thinking like Mooster. From across our history, I come up with only one name. Lafayette. Ponder that one gentlemen.
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Post by jeffwho on Feb 26, 2016 7:58:57 GMT -5
Here is some more information I found of interest, from a Consulate website:
"Upon presentation of their military file as detailed hereunder, US veterans who risked their life during World War II to fight on French territory, may be awarded this distinction. Those selected are appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor. The Legion of Honor medal is not awarded posthumously. Created to honor extraordinary contributions to the country, the Legion of Honor is France’s highest distinction. To be eligible to this outstanding award, the veteran has to fit strict criteria :
- Interested veterans of all the different armed forces must have fought in at least one of the 3 main campaigns of the Liberation of France: Normandy, Provence/Southern France or Northern France. Actions having taken place in Belgium, Germany, Italy or any other neighboring European country are not taken into consideration.
- The file presented must contain a copy of the military separation record (honorable discharge), the Proposal Memory application (below) and a copy of a current identity document with a picture.If possible, it should also contain copies of citations for all the decorations already received in France or in the United States indicating meritorious action during wartime operations. This is particularly important for decorations that were not shown in the discharge document at the time of separation. To be considered, these citations must have been issued during WWII or the close aftermath, and must relate to events (outstanding actions, wounds, having been made prisoner, evasions, having taken action with the resistance, etc.) that took place on the French territory only which includes ground, airspace and coastal waters.
Since only a small number of Legion of Honor medals are awarded each year in the United States, care is taken to nominate only those with the most distinguished records. It is important to have such decorations as the Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Silver Star and higher, earned in French territory in order to have a competitive record. If the file meets the criteria, it is sent to The Legion of Honor committee in Paris, through the French Embassy in Washington and the French Foreign Affairs ministry. The Legion of Honor committee approves or rejects the candidate presented after appropriate review of his file."
There are some, however, that 'poo-poo' the award, even many French citizens. Over 500 French citizens were awarded the medal in 2013, according to this article (http://tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/02/letter-from-paris-much-ado-about-the-legion-of-honor/?_r=0), and at least one former minister in the government claimed that the medal is "given to just about anybody". I challenge anyone, however, to call into question what the medal means to a spry 90 year old who spent part of his youth surviving the rigors of winter combat, suffering pains from bullet wounds and experiencing the loss of friends and comrades in a cataclysmic event NONE of us can begin to comprehend. To any who would downplay the award to a WWII veteran, I would say - well, let's just hope I don't meet anyone who does. The outcome would not be considered polite in any company.
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Post by jeffwho on Apr 13, 2016 8:28:15 GMT -5
At last night's Hanahan City Council Meeting: (Doug Rogers, Hanahan Department of Recreation, presided over the ceremony. Accompanying him in the photo is Mayor Minnie Newman and "Mayor For A Day"I had a hand in the idea and the text)  AND NOW, for the big surprise. I kept this a secret from Floyd and his daughter: City Council approved the impression design of and installation thereof for a commemorative brick to be placed at City Hall, to read: FLOYD HENNESSEE
US ARMY 36TH DIV
WORLD WAR II I just rang off with Ol Sarge. He started the conversation with "Well, boy you sure got me again. Dang I got to watch you! That thing there last night was really a great surprise." If you wonder why I do what I do with my jeep, my uniforms, and all the equipment I display -usually with Sarge in tow- reread this thread. |
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Post by jeffwho on Apr 24, 2016 6:58:21 GMT -5
Another great event with Floyd at the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team exhibition on Saturday. It was awesome hearing my buddy John from HS who is now the Joint Base Charleston 437th Airlift Wing commander introduce Floyd to do the ceremonial first pitch. All the guys on the WWAST and the Joint Base Team thanked him for his service, and we got him an autographed ball and had a great time. Not a bad pitch either!   |
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Post by Haines Garage on Apr 24, 2016 14:34:35 GMT -5
Sir Jeff
That is fantastic.
Looks like a great day.
Your a good man brother !
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