[Leica] Lest we forget!

[Ken Lassiter <kenlass@gate.net>]

This is in response to Don R's message.  I must wonder if he has ever 
been to France and especially to Normandy.

A year ago, my wife and I took a train from Paris to Normandy to visit 
some friends who live 5 KM from Mt. Saint Michel.  On the train, a 
distinguished old man approached us and asked if we were Americans. 
 Maybe it was my taking pictures out the train window with my Leica that 
gave us away.  (There, back on topic.)

We responded,  "Yes".  He then said, "I want to thank you and all 
Americans for sending your boys to France to save us from the Germans." 
 He was living in Normandy during WW2 and he said he remembered the 
terrible times under the Nazis and how bad the battles were.  He said he 
was impressed with how brave the American soldiers were.  He certainly 
seemed genuinely grateful to me.

All over Normandy one see monuments and displays of gratitude to the 
Americans and the British.  Once I was at the American cemetery on 
Memorial Day and the huge display of floral wreaths all emblazoned, 
"Merci, USA" was simply astounding.  

I have had similar experiences of gratitude many times in France.  In 
fact on my last two trips to Paris, my wife and I agreed, the French 
were much more friendly to Americans than ever.  Even the waiters were 
more pleasant and wished us a pleasant stay in Paris when we parted.   I 
have never had a bad experience with any Frenchman other than one waiter 
in Paris.

It is my observation that the average American who berates the French 
for being ungrateful has never been to  France.  Or if they have been, 
they went on a bus tour with Americans where they never had the 
opportunity to speak directly with real Frenchmen.  

One should not judge what a people think and say just by what one reads 
in the newspaper or sees on TV.  It makes better news copy if the 
reporter can put a negative spin on things.  

I would like to hear from others on the LUG who have had good 
experiences in France and other European countries.-- while 
photographing with their Leicas.

Ken Lassiter
Boynton Beach, FL

Don R wrote:  

"Mike, you are directly on target! Don't let anyone bully you about this 
 subject.

Dad went into France with hundreds of thousands of American boys and after
almost a year and a half of observing the Vichy French who threw in with
Hitler and his Nazi's killing Americans, his view was that it was a true
shame that a single American boy died saving France. The French have not
changed in hundreds of years and they will not change. But they will
certainly scream for help once their Islamic population begins to take over....."







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