Photo-reports II
| 2003-2006 | 2007 | 2008 | For 2009 see Next and Past Events |
Activities along the W3R in 2007
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2007 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-?
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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)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
2007 Nov 06:DC Mayor Fenty Discusses W3R with French Pres. Sarkozy  News Report [PDF]
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One side says OUR ALLIES IN THE REVOLUTION,
the other says LA GRATITUDE DE RHODE ISLAND.
| 2007 Dec 14 -- Washington-Rochambeau Symposium in Philadelphia to mark the 200th anniversary if the death of Gen. Rochambeau. |
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Activities along the W3R in 2008
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2008 Feb 04: Philadelphia PA --
Visit of the French Ambassador
2008 Feb 16: Philadelphia PA -- Washington's Birthday; Talk on Rochambeau 2008 Mar 31: Philadelphia PA -- Old Glory's Journey of Remembrance for those who have died for freedom |
2008 Oct 17-19: W3R-USA Meeting in Yorktown VAThe Fall Board of Directors meeting of the W3R-USA was held in Yorktown on Oct 18. Thirteen directors and 12 members or friends of the W3R were present. Minutes of the Board Meeting and Workshop
Kim Burdick, Nicole Yancey, Dan Smith ( Superintendent, Colonial National Park), Reinhold Bever-Tajorsky (in back), and Jim Raleigh At a luncheon on Oct 19 Kim Burdick was presented with the pin representing
the French government's award of Academic Palms for her career in historic preservation
and education, including her leadership roles in the W3R -USA.
See the Press Release .
That afternoon several members of the W3R participated as a unit in the Yorktown Day Parade, carrying our new banner (see photo below). We were surprised and pleased to find another group marching with a W3R banner -- The French Honor Society from the high school in Grafton, Virginia. We stopped to chat with them for a while but forgot to get a photo. |
Veronica Eid (hidden), Sallie de Barcza, David Holloway (in French uniform),
a young friend of the W3R-USA, and Carl Nittinger
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