As the world was embroiled in the Great War in 1917, the stirring words of an Army officer after the American Expeditionary Force landed on French shores still echo in history — “Lafayette, we are here.”

Sadly, as a nation, we have forgotten those words.

Thousands of angry voices rang out against the French after the United States invaded Iraq — without the support or blessing of France.

It’s very sad and most perplexing the United States should look down upon so staunch an ally.

Today, Great Britain is one of our most steadfast allies. Yet, we have fought two wars against them. From 1775 to 1783, American colonists and the British army and navy killed one another without compunction.

The British almost systematically starved to death our prisoners of war during the American Revolution. They shot and hanged Americans, sometimes on sight, without trial.

During the War of 1812, the British burned much of our Capitol, including the White House.

Today, Germany is a stalwart ally, yet we fought two bloody world wars against them. Over 418,000 Americans died at the hands of the Germans and the Japanese during World War II. As with Germany, Japan today is another steadfast ally.

Americans fought against the Italians during the Second World War, invading the country on several occasions. Yet today, Italy is another of our loyal allies.

So why is it Americans have such disdain for France, who has never fought in a war against the United States, and has only been an ally every single day since our founding?

In 1886 the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor — perhaps the most recognizable symbol of freedom anywhere in the world — to pay tribute to this nation’s founding and commemorating the Declaration of Independence. It was a gift from the French people representing the friendship between the two nations established during the Revolutionary War.

Why is it America has forgiven many of its worst enemies, historically speaking, and treats France as anathema?

I’m here today to send a bouquet back to France— to a genuine American hero who happened to be an exceedingly young Frenchman — a Frenchman without whom we well might not be here as an independent nation today.

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (whew) was born in France, yet emigrated to the American colonies and joined Gen. George Washington and the Continental Army.

Congress, impressed by Lafayette’s offer to serve in the American Army without pay, made him, at the age of 19, a major general. He further impressed the colonists and Washington in August 1777, when he was introduced to members of the Continental Army and Washington was embarrassed to show a French officer the poor state of his men. Yet, Lafayette responded by saying, “I am here to learn, not to teach.”

His first action was at Brandywine, Pa., where he was shot in the leg. Before seeking treatment for the wound, he helped to rally troops for an orderly retreat. He was cited for bravery by Washington.

He shared the hardships at Valley Forge. He later served with distinction at the Battle of Rhode Island.

In the middle of the war, he returned to France to negotiate an increased French commitment to the colonies, including 5,500 French troops and five navy frigates.

Lafayette’s maneuvers in the field helped trap British Gen. Lord Cornwallis between Yorktown, Va., and the arriving French fleet. Joined by Washington’s army, the rest is history, as Cornwallis eventually surrendered at Yorktown following a three-week siege, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.

In later years, upon Lafayette’s death, President Andrew Jackson ordered he be accorded the same funeral honors as presidents John Adams and George Washington — 24-gun salutes were fired from military posts and ships, each shot representing a U.S. state. Flags flew at half mast for 35 days and U.S. military officers wore black crape for six months. Congress hung black in chambers and asked the entire country to dress in black for 30 days.

While it can be argued France only sided with a fledgling America to help their own cause against the British, alliances such as these have been forged since the dawn of man — and a common practice by our own government.

So I say, look to the pages of history. No nation on earth has been as loyal to America as has France, even though we may disagree with their positions, and they sometimes fail to appreciate ours.

American armies twice have landed on French shores to fight in two great world wars, shedding blood in the defense of France, just as Frenchmen once shed blood for us.

It would be a shameful day indeed to ever forget the bond forged 228 years ago on the ramparts at Yorktown.



Christy is news editor at the News & Eagle and may be reached at davidc@enidnews.com