I’ve seen some posts regarding how the French people embrace Americans, and how they truly appreciate the sacrifices that were made by our troops…in liberating their country from the occupying Nazis.
This is absolutely true.
I traveled to Lyon, France 🇫🇷 in July of 1996, as a member of the U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division.
President Clinton was attending the G-7 summit, and many members of our detail had arrived early in Lyon.
We were transported to our hotel after arriving on a chartered flight.
I walked into the lobby of our hotel with my fellow agents.
To my right was a welcome desk… staffed by two ladies that appeared to be in their late 60’s to early 70’s. (They were sisters)
I smiled and nodded their way.
They both got up from their desk and approached me.
“You’re an American, yes?” they inquired
Yes, absolutely 100% Yankee I replied. (We are ALL Yankees overseas)
They started to cry…”Did you have a relative that fought in Lyon?”
“No …I had a great uncle that died in Normandy, he never made it this far” I replied.
They said “You look just like the first American soldier that we met after the Germans left. We will never forget him”.
I was beyond moved. They were crying , I was crying…one can imagine the emotions.
I so wish someone had taken a picture of me with those sweet ladies...
Obviously a moment in time that I will never forget.
Getting to me right now actually….
Thought y’all would like to know.
This is absolutely true.
I traveled to Lyon, France 🇫🇷 in July of 1996, as a member of the U.S. Secret Service Presidential Protective Division.
President Clinton was attending the G-7 summit, and many members of our detail had arrived early in Lyon.
We were transported to our hotel after arriving on a chartered flight.
I walked into the lobby of our hotel with my fellow agents.
To my right was a welcome desk… staffed by two ladies that appeared to be in their late 60’s to early 70’s. (They were sisters)
I smiled and nodded their way.
They both got up from their desk and approached me.
“You’re an American, yes?” they inquired
Yes, absolutely 100% Yankee I replied. (We are ALL Yankees overseas)
They started to cry…”Did you have a relative that fought in Lyon?”
“No …I had a great uncle that died in Normandy, he never made it this far” I replied.
They said “You look just like the first American soldier that we met after the Germans left. We will never forget him”.
I was beyond moved. They were crying , I was crying…one can imagine the emotions.
I so wish someone had taken a picture of me with those sweet ladies...
Obviously a moment in time that I will never forget.
Getting to me right now actually….
Thought y’all would like to know.
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