The French honor heros

Everywhere you go in Paris, you are respectfully reminded of those who have contributed to France in some way, foreign or national. This sign is a memorial to a fallen French Resistance soldier who died during the Liberation of Paris.

But, there are also roads named after foreigners who have been friends of France – FDR, JFK, Churchill. The French honor their heros, foreign or national, and their memory is long.

Now, think of how much the French have helped the United States. In many ways, they were more helpful than the English. We went to war with England in 1818 (the burned the White House!), and the British blockaded the Union Navy during the Civil War. The French helped us as they could, during the Revolutionary War, many fighting alongside us. We owe them a lot for the Enlightenment that formed the basis for our country. They were close allies in World War 1 and 2 (ok, so was Britain).

All this has made of think back to the childish antics encouraged a few years back when the French disagreed with us on the Iraq War. I think we treated a very close friend unfairly. If I had a best friend who deeply disagreed with me on something important to me, I wouldn’t destroy that friendship. I would either listen more to my friend, or amicably agree to disagree. A long-term friendship is more important than any single disagreement.

I think a disagreement of a year or so is no foundation for destroying a centuries-long friendship.

How sad. How petty.

Sigh…