Photo-reports of W3R Activities in 2007
(ordered by calendar date)| Activities in 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 |
|
2007:
MA: Lafayette |
FR: Rochambeau |
NY: Dobbs Ferry |
PA: Parades
CT,PA: Lafayette | VA: Yorktown | DC: FR President | RI: French Dead |
Latest Changes: 07Nov01 - split from photrept.htm / 08Feb18 - update links /
|
May 19:
The French Consulate in Boston hosted a ceremony to honor Lafayette, France's military support
of American independence, and a number of American World War Two veterans who had served
in the struggle for French liberty, specifically in the Normandy troop landing.
Boston was the first port of call in 1780 and the port of departure in 1782 for the bulk of the French Expeditionary Force. It provided hospital facilities for the French regiments and a safe harbor and repair facility for several French fleets during those three years.
June 4: For the 200th anniversary of the death of General Rochambeau Dr. Jacques Bossiere -- Founding Chair of the W3R-US -- placed a wreath from the W3R-US on Rochambeau's grave at Thore-la-Rochette in France. Col. Serge Gabriel, a member of the Souvenier Français (and the W3R-US Regional Vice-Chair for the Northeast), placed a wreath from the Souvenier Français on the grave. You may be interested in reading this report from 111 years ago:
"The Chateau de Rochambeau" , by Joseph G. Rosengarten, Proc Am. Philos. Soc. 1894, p 353-?
|
Wreaths from the Souvenier Francais and the W3R-US at Rochambeau's grave.
Front: Comte Michel de Rochambeau, Dr. Jacques Bossiere,
Nichole Yancey, Col. Serge Gabriel
Back: Nathalie de Gouberville and Guy de Rochambeau
(daughter and son of the Comte)
|
Sept 01 -- Parades in Pennsylvania
Win Carroll, chair of the W3R-PA, organized two parades celebrated the 225th anniversary
of the Continental Congress' review of the French and American armies after their victory
at Yorktown (in October of 1781).
A 55 minute video!!! of the parade, with a television interview of Win Carroll and Dr. Robert Selig summarizing the history of the French Army in the United States. This is best viewed at "original size". Parade #1: In Philadelphia PA the parade passed Independence Hall and continued to Washington Square for a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.
Parade #2: In Chester PA the parade came down the Avenue of the States to City Hall and ended with a wreath laying at the grave of John Morton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
|
Sept 05:
Retired Mens Association of Greenwich CT celebrates the Birth of Lafayette
Col. Serge Gabriel (W3R Regional Vice Chair for the Northeast) led a 159-man chorus in the singing of The Star-Spangled Banner and La Marseillaise.
Sept 06: W3R-US Celebrates the Birth of Lafayette Lafayette was a born into a titled family, and he was the equivalent of a West Point-educated officer in the French army. He was so deeply dedicated to freedom and liberty that he chartered a ship at his own expense to sail to the U.S. and offer to serve in the Continental Army. Lafayette understood true liberty to be “the fruition of the enactment of the rights of man”, and his life was devoted to global citizenship and service.
Throughout the 2007-08 academic year Lafayette College will celebrate
Lafayette's birth with special events focused on the connection between a free society
and an educated citizenry in today's world. See their Web site:
Kim Burdick, current chair of the W3R-US, arrived on the arm of Loic Barnieu -- who portrays the young Lafayette professionally.
|
The leaders of the W3R-US participated in the birthday commemoration at the college.
Dr. Jacques Bossiere, W3R-US' founding chair donated a bust of Lafayette by the famous sculptor Houdon.
to Lafayette College (in Easton PA) as it celebrated the 250th birthday of the Marquis de Lafayette,
for whom the college is named.
2007 Oct 20: W3R-US Gathering at Yorktown VA Members and friends of the W3R-US gathered at Yorktown to discuss progress of legislation and other concerns.
Carl Nittinger (NJ), Bob Selig (MI), Blanche Hunniwell (MA), Veronica Eid (MA)
Nichole Yancey (VA), Andree King (VA), Blanche Hunniwell (MA), Serge Gabriel (CT), and Sallie deBarcza (NJ)
2007 Nov 06:
DC Mayor Fenty Discusses W3R with French Pres. Sarkozy
News Report [PDF]
2007 Nov 11: Commemorating French Sacrifice
Members and friends of the W3R-US gathered at the North Burial Ground in Providence RI
to honor all French soldiers who served as allies during the American Revolution
and died of disease or battle wounds in the United States. Some of the men who died
of illness contracted during the long voyage from France in 1780 lie buried here.
This monument was dedicated in 1882 on the 100th anniversary of the French encampment nearby
as the troops marched north to Boston, from where they sailed to the Caribbean or to France.
One side says OUR ALLIES IN THE REVOLUTION, the other LA GRATITUDE DE RHODE ISLAND.
On the 225th anniversary of the encampment (125 years after the monument was dedicated)..
U.S. re-enactors of the French Regiment Bourbonnais fire a salute in tribute.
| GO TO TOP OF PAGE |