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Op-Ed: Writer deeply moved by French people’s appreciation for veterans (Includes interview and first-hand account)

The letter to editor Val Robichaud entitled, “Americans in Paris – A Memorial Day memory sent in by Monica McKey was something author Carole Bumpus could relate to very well. In the letter which was published on May 26, a Sonoma resident recalled her overwhelming and unexpected experience while traveling in France. Part of McKey’s letter noted, “When my late husband, John and I traveled to France in 1993…(A Frenchman approached and greeted the couple).
“The moment I mentioned that we were Americans, he (the Frenchman) launched into a speech I will never forget.” ‘I want to tell you something and I want you to listen very closely, (said the Frenchman) because you may not hear this very often. I come from the region of St. Mère Église, and on June 6, 1944, some American boys parachuted into my village. They died so that I could grow up and live to know love and have a family. And I want you to remember that, in all of France, there is at least one person who has never forgotten them. Each year, I go to the American Cemetery and pray over their graves. They are not forgotten!”

Published in the Memorial Day weekend edition of the Sonoma Valley Sun  May  26  2016

Published in the Memorial Day weekend edition of the Sonoma Valley Sun, May, 26, 2016


“Through my tears, noted McKey all I could do was manage a very soggy, ‘Merci, Monsieur.’ He shook hands with both of us, said in a voice warm with sincerity – this time in heavily accented English – ‘Goodbye, my friends!’ And, he disappeared into the crowded street.”
This surprising encounter of deep appreciation for Americans was not entirely unique.
“Yes, said Bumpus, her story definitely resonates with my experiences traveling to France for research on my book, ‘A Cup of Redemption.’ While gathering research, I traveled with a contingent of WWII U.S. Army veterans for both the 65th and 70th anniversaries of the landing on the Southern Beaches of France. I found that people in France, everywhere we went,” said Bumpus, “honored the American veterans with deep appreciation. I was overwhelmed. Who knew? They really went out of their way to show our WWII vets their complete gratitude. What we do here in the U.S. to commemorate our WWII veterans is little compared to what I experienced over in France,” Bumpus said.
Since the debut of her book, “A Cup of Redemption and its companion cookbook, Bumpus has been busy going wherever the book and the heart-felt meaning of its story line takes her. Use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter has been helpful in bridging the miles between Europe and the United States. And, because of today’s media Bumpus noted, “I won a Finalist award for the Paris Book Festival for both my books (Cup of Redemption and the companion cookbook), she said. Plus I am excited from this week awards from the International Book Awards. To learn more about the experiences of the French and their appreciation for the veterans of WWII, visit the Carole Bumpus web site.

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