"Four proud old men gathered yesterday at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum to receive France's highest award, the Legion of Honor, for helping to liberate that country from the Nazis 65 years ago.

"Felix Cistolo, 88, of Ellwood City; Martin Tougher, 87, of Forest Hills; Francis Culotta, 91, of Whitehall; and Ross DiMarco, 87, of Uniontown; were ordinary young men caught up in the greatest maelstrom of the 20th century.

"Each rose to the occasion, advancing field by field and house by house across the French countryside, forcing the Germans back to the Fatherland and destroying Hitler's Thousand-Year Reich."

6 decades later, French say 'merci'


Dave

Long live to those brave Vets!

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Dave,

I haven't been on the forums in a while, and your thread was the first I opened.... I had such a pleasure reading this article, and the detailed stories of these four veterans. There was a myriad of memorable reflections.... but this was one that stood out the most, and made me smile: "Seven years ago, Mr. Tougher returned to Normandy with son Marty. There they met old women, still grateful to American GIs, who said they had used American parachutes like his for their wedding dresses." I love hearing of this recognition and adoration towards our countrymen.... priceless indeed.

all the best,

Jem

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I approached everything, my job, my family, my romances, with intensity... Gene Tierney

That's a fact. There is a wedding dress on display at the Caen Memorial, it was used for a wedding in 1947 and was made with a RAF chute

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Thanks Skip! appreciate the feedback... cements the thought even more

Jem

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I approached everything, my job, my family, my romances, with intensity... Gene Tierney

I found a picture of it

Le Mémorial de Caen - Sa kartonn

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Your on a roll Skip! what a beautiful dress... I am still in awe, and so grateful to have known this..... thank you for your salute as well

all the best my friend,

Jem

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I approached everything, my job, my family, my romances, with intensity... Gene Tierney

The lady who wore it in 1947 is still alive and celebrated her 50th anniversary in 2007 and was briefly presented the dress (at her home for the day) as a reminder.

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