French memories in the United States, the duty not to forget

What are the functions of French Memoirs in the United States ?

The American Association Le Souvenir Français Inc. is a non-profit organization. We have in the USA more than 2,500 graves of French soldiers who fought for France who are buried almost everywhere in the USA and which cover several periods, the War of Independence of course, but also the two global conflicts without forgetting the colonial period of the New – France. Our main mission, like that of Souvenir Français in France and in many countries, is to honor them.

Beyond this commemorative activity of military origin, we are concerned to foster the historical ties of alliance and friendship between our two countries since 1778, a very special example in the history of the countries, that the two were not country has never gone to war and always friends. .

This is how we do many things, laying wreaths, repairing steles and other monuments, and putting up tourist plaques, such as the one honoring Major Pierre L’ Enfant at Arlington National Cemetery, the Admiral de Grasse in Yorktown, the Duke of Lauzun in Gloucester, Virginia, the statue of the Little Prince in NY, etc…

All these activities are reported in our monthly Bulletin, published in both languages. Our goal is that the young American generations will be more aware of the vital role of France in conquering their freedom and to send this “torch of memory” to the young people of France as well. Our countrymen in the United States and in France are often very little aware of what the French have done in America, since the 16th century! Therefore, we are about to publish the second edition of a work which contains a list of about 1,950 sites of “Memories of France” spread across the current 50 states of the United States, with photos and GPS location. Compensation from the sale of this work will be paid in electronic form to the association. So many cities, regions, states were discovered by soldiers, explorers, missionaries, French pioneers, or French Canadians… all of which contributed to the building of the United States, and of which we can be proud. It is fitting to remember them and honor their memory.

Does this French memory still attract the attention of young people today?

During the 80th anniversary of D-Day, we supported “Operation Mirror” which carried the flame of the Nation, carried by 12 young high school students, from the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to the grave of the American Soldier Neo – known at Arlington National Cemetery, Like everyone who met them, I was impressed by their behavior and patriotism, however, there is a great work to be done with young people, and also with those who are not so young who do not understand what they owe to the generations before them.

France and the United States are considered “old friends”, what unites them today?

We have so many values ​​in common to protect, starting with Freedom, which is increasingly being fought every day by various totalitarian regimes around the world.

Several celebrations, feasts, concerts, a real “Lafayettemania”, were held during this special journey in history.

Why is the bicentennial of Lafayette’s journey an event to celebrate?

President James Monroe officially invited the Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving general of the American War of Independence, to visit the United States, as a “Guest of the Nation,” to celebrate the country’s 50th anniversary to celebrate, but also to apply the “spirit. of 1776″ in the new generation of Americans, at a time of intense political opposition. Between August 1824 and September 1825, Lafayette toured the 24 states of the United States at the time. He was welcomed put him everywhere as a hero, even a “rock star”, to hold him through this special journey in history.

Do we know that nearly half the population of New York gathered at the docks to see him land? Does the tradition of parades on Broadway date back to when it arrived? That the name “National Guard” was coined in his honor? That his portrait sits to the left of the “Speaker” of the United States House of Representatives, in symmetry with that of George Washington? Was he the first to address the assembled Congress? Unfortunately so many things were abandoned in France…But very much alive in the US. We will judge every square, street, path, plaque, steles, and statues in his honor, all the way to California, where he never came.

There has never been such a triumphant journey by a historical figure anywhere in the world, before or since. You only have to read the newspapers of the time to be sure of the terrible impact of this tour. For these two hundred years, several committees were established under the auspices of the American Friends of Lafayettewith whom we are working closely, to celebrate his daily tour, across 24 states over the next 13 months.

What celebrations can our readers take part in in New York?

The schedule for the first weekend in New York on August 16 and 17 is tied, as well as in Westchester County on the 18th (Lafayette was on its way to Massachusetts).

Join the entire French community for the launch on Friday August 16th at 9:00am at Brookfield Place marina, opposite the Freedom Tower!

To follow his journey step by step every day, and the many celebrations organized by cities and local associations, all the information is on the website: Lafayette200.org.