Yesterday, the government of France honored an 85 yr old American WWII veteran pilot by the name of Wes Duiker, who flew a B-26 Marauder bomber during the war. Duiker was inducted into the Knights of the Legion of Honor, in recognition for his efforts to help free France from German occupation. Two French representatives of the Knights of the Legion of Honor traveled to Springfield, IL, to award Duiker his meal.
They delivered to him a letter from the French Consul General. The letter stated that the people of France would never forget what Duiker and other allied soldiers did to save France. It specifically said the following:
“Thanks to the courage of these brave soldiers, to our American friends and allies, France has been living in peace for the past six decades. They saved our nation and we will never forget. I want you to know that for us, the French people, they are true heroes. Gratitude and remembrance are forever in our souls.”I guess that there are still some French people left who appreciate the sacrifice that Americans made for them in WWII. Duiker's Bomber Squadron flew valuable support missions for Free French Army forces, softening up the opposing German forces with punishing bomb attacks.
Here is a photo of the award ceremony:
And here is a link to a video interview made with Duiker at the ceremony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72iFH15XeSs&feature=player_embeddedThe video is enlightening, due to the fact that Duker says that he believes that the world is just as dangerous a place today, as it was before WWII.
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