Nous Voilà

I’m so proud of my French heritage, especially on French National Day, and more especially this year, since July 14, 2017 also marks the 100th anniversary of the day the United States joined World War I.

If you know anything about the bits of French history that have intertwined with American history, you know that at the age of nineteen, French aristocrat Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, voluntarily came to America from France to fight in our Revolution against the British. Lafayette became a trusted friend of George Washington and was soon promoted to General, leading invasions while successfully persuading the French army to come to America and assist. After our Revolutionary War ended, Lafayette returned to France and helped lead the French Revolution against Napoleon.

A century and a half later, when the whole world began fighting itself, the United States managed to stay neutral for three years before reluctantly deciding to join WWI – by sending a million troops under command of US General Pershing to South France to help defend the French from German invasion. Upon arrival in France, the soldiers marched through Paris in order to display declaration against the Axis Powers, and they paused at Lafayette’s tomb. US Colonel Stanton stated, “Lafayette, nous voilà,” or, “Lafayette, we are here,” with the intent of showing that America shares and respects Lafayette’s desire to see freedom ring.

France was America’s first ally when the United States was born. Since 1775, France and America have faithfully supported each other throughout the years, truly in the spirit of liberte, egalite, et fraternite. Nothing surpasses brotherly love in the name of independence, and I can’t wait to get to someday say “thank you” to the land of my fathers in person.