| June
27th: Brussels' Airport---Washington, D.C. 's Airport---Richmond |
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| When
we arrived at Washington, D.C. 's airport we fully appreciated how
our friends of the M.V.P.A. were to take care of us. One of them was
there, waiting for us with the bus. Some of us were traveling in the
States for the first time. They really discovered a New World. When
arriving in RICHMOND, the organizers were already at the Radisson
Hotel to welcome us. They had prepared a busy schedule. Everything
was ready to offer us an exceptional stay in Richmond, including official
commemorations, meeting veterans, tourism, history with a visit to
the main sites of the Civil War around Richmond, and even some shopping.
The same evening, Major Tucker arrived to welcome us. At that time,
we realized our "Thank You"was deeply appreciated. |
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| The first official
meeting in Richmond took place at the Virginia Historical Society
where we were welcomed by Richmond representatives for a luncheon.
There we met Major Tucker for the second time in the States. Retired
Richmond Circuit Judge John Randolph Tucker Jr. had been to Belgium
twice. The first time he was commanding a battalion of light tanks
and about 900 US Army troops. He entered the City of Mons on September
2nd 1944 and liberated its civilians. Major Tucker was invited to
visit the City of Mons 45 years later, in 1989. He was honored and
greeted as the liberator of the city. The City of Mons wanted to bring
Major Tucker to Mons a third time but, because of his age, Major Tucker
could not come to see his Belgian friends. So they decided to come
to him with "Fish' Chips", the Stuart tank which was the first armored
vehicle to enter the City of Mons on September 2nd 1944. |
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| During
the day, visits were planned to either the main sites of the Civil
War or some shopping. The event took place in the evening at the Virginia
House. Major Tucker welcomed us. It was his birthday! A unique birthday
party. Those who were there are not to forget those moments. "Happy
Birthday" greetings were wished in English and French. |
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| We
gathered at the Virginia War Memorial for a moving ceremony expressing
our gratitude for those who brought Liberty back to our country more
than 55 years ago. Before the ceremony a parade was organized for
our vehicles. It was also a way of saying "thank you". Then they stayed
on display at the War Memorial. Richard Miller, President of the Parliament
of the French Community spoke of the great sacrifice made in the war
by Americans "upholding the great values of Justice and Democracy".
We had to leave Richmond on July 2nd…Washington, D.C. was expecting
us. |
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| BACK
TO CARD |
