"These American men and women risked their lives when they were very young to liberate my country, but also to liberate the world"

Those words were spoken by Anne-Clair Legendre, the Council General of France at a ceremony in Hartford as she honored twenty WW II veterans. According to an article in the Hartford Courant, five Connecticut WWII vets were awarded the Legion of Honour that was started by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

All five CT vets received medals and the title of Knight within France's National Order in the Legion of Honour for their dedicated service during World War II. During the ceremony at the state Capitol, Governor Lamont said,

The partnership between France and the United States, in good times and bad, is represented by the amazing folks we are remembering and celebrating today, for the remarkable things you did on behalf of freedom for both our countries.

Let us say, "Congratulations, and thank you for your service" to Connecticut WWII veterans, Ben Cooper, Rob Freeburger, Fran King, Elsie Thomson, and John Horan. God Bless America!

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