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| Returning
to Nice, the group followed the sea shore drive to Cannes, which is one of the most scenic
routes along the French Coast. A brief stop was made at Cannes where some of the group
headed for all places, "McDonalds" for coffee. Here we had an hour or so to get
some walking in and visit one of the famous casinos.
Continuing on via the beautiful coastal road we were taken to the Villa of Legionnaire
Albert Cohen a member of the American Legion Post 5 where this famous man hosted a
reception for the entire group. More champagne, wine, all kinds of dainty sandwiches,
caviar all served by three young French beauties. This setting for most of us was
something we have seen only in movies. The villa overlooked Nice and the Mediterranean. |
I must tell you about Albert Cohen. Not
only was he a very successful and well to do business man, he was a genuine war hero. Mr.
Cohen was an underground fighter and was credited with bringing a number of our downed
pilots through the enemy lines to safety. A great man and very much respected by everyone.
Before leaving this beautiful setting the Mayor of the large City of Nice presented all of
the Veterans in the Group with a souvenir commemorating the 50th anniversary of the
liberation of his City. The ladies in the group also received a gift from the City of
Nice, a pad containing writing material. This ended a wonderful and beautiful experience
for all of us in Southern France. Again I heard "Things just can't get any better
than this". We will soon see in the next few days if that statement was true.
Before continuing our journey, I think it
appropriate to quote, in part, some of the speeches and newspaper articles celebrating our
visit to this beautiful country. The following articles appeared in newspapers throughout
France prior and during our visit:
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| American officer and French partisan crouch behind an auto during
a street fight in a French city. Still
Pictures Branch, National Archives |
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"Regional Information, Nice
April 15, 1998, Veterans of the 36th American infantry Division will be in Nice France on
the 22nd of April. A delegation of the 36th Division Veterans who participated in the
landings in the Province on 15 August 1944 and the French Army of the Rhine et Danube who
both followed the course of victory all the way to Austria will be in our region next week
on Wednesday the 22nd of April. They will be welcomed by the American Legion and the
French Army "Rhin et Danube".
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I realize that this article is
lengthy but to leave anything out would diminish the contribution of our armies to the
liberation of France. The following is a speech made by Commander John Willms, Riviera
Post 5 of the American Legion: "Today, we welcome the Veterans of the 36th Infantry
Division and members of their families who have come to France to honor those who put
aside their hopes, dreams and plans for the future to serve their country when asked to
do. Let us keep in mind the enormous debt we owe the veterans of our nation and allies who
fought, were wounded and/or disabled and those who made the supreme sacrifice to preserve
our form of democracy not only for our nation but all who share our views on freedom. Your
presence here today with veterans of the First French Army reminds us of our
responsibility to remain vigilant, strong and united in the preservation of peace and
freedom. Thank you for coming, may your "Battlefield Tour" be a rewarding
experience and your journey through Europe be a safe one."
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| John
Wilms, Commander of the American Legion Chapter, Nice
France in the middle with the white hat during award
ceremonies, Southern France. April 1998 |
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| This is just a sample of
the heart warming speeches given in our honor everywhere our group traveled.
Friday, April 24, 1998, those who had signed up for just the Italian portion of the tour
departed for home. We who remained missed them and as usual on tour attended by Veterans
and their families a bond is formed among us and our friendship is even more solid than
before.
As a point of
interest we read in the newspapers and heard it on television of a terrible storm in Italy
after we departed in the very vicinity where we had toured. Two days of heavy rains have
caused torrents of mud and water through the streets in a 40 mile area from Naples down to
Salerno in the South, killing in excess of 45 people, many missing and over 1,800
homeless.
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| This World War
II history is sponsored and maintained by TMFM |
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