From the heart of the Pyrénées, Veterans of Foreign Wars - Benjamin Franklin Post 605 Paris, France Post Surgeon Tisha Carter joined together in support with local French veterans and Mairie de Sauveterre de Béarn Mayor Jean Labour for the Armistice Day ceremony.

 

Comrade Carter was invited by Mr. Fernand Lamarche, President of the 506° Médailles Militaires Section Sauveterre-Salies to assist with presenting the Médailles militaires wreath, alongside wreath presentations by the National Federation of Veterans of Algeria, the Veteran Prisoners of War Combatants Algeria/Tunisia/Morocco-External Operations, and the Sauveterre City Hall. 

La Médaille militaire (The Military Medal) is the highest French military distinction for non-commissioned officers and soldiers. As an award for valour, it is the second highest award ranking immediately after the Legion of Honour.

Americans who have been awarded La Médaille militaire:

WW1 pilot Arthur Bluethenthal (posthumous)

WW1 African American fighter pilot Eugene Jacques Bullard

WW1 USMC Sergeant Major Daniel "Dan” Daly

WW1 Army sniper Private Herman Davis

WW1 Army First Sergeant Samuel "Sam” Dreben

President Dwight D Eisenhower

Army General Douglas MacArthur

WW1 Army Corporal Thomas A. Pope

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

WW1 Army Corporal Clarence Van Allen

Photographs courtesy of American photographer Peggy Dyer, who has covered US military and veterans in her striking portraits and visual journeys through stories of freedom, peace, family and connections via her One Million Faces Project. Her grandfather and several great uncles served the US Armed Forces in WW2.