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When people think of Paris, France, they often think of shopping or standing at the Eiffel tower. Strolling romantic bistros and picturesque views of the Seine River, the beautiful lights at night reflecting off the beautiful architectural buildings, the halls of the Louvre, or the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles.
Paris is full of history. Names like Joan of Arc and Napoleon. Places like the Moulin Rouge and its visual windmill, or the cathedral of Notre Dame. There are many must-see sites in Paris.
My trip to Paris was to see the Olympics, and it started in York, Pennsylvania.
I live in an apartment and it is decorated in a French theme, my grandmother was born in France and I have French heritage. Many people walk or drive by a statue of a man to go to work, as I do every day. I think history is always forgotten about, and I wanted to remember history by going and doing a little adventure. The more we know about history, the more we can better understand each other and where we live in our communities and in our life:
Throughout York, the name Lafayette is visible. Off Route 30 at George Street is a sign that says Lafayette Plaza. In Continental Square in downtown York I see the name again of Lafayette and the Glove Inn. Who was this man? When reading the plaque in Continental Square, it states he stayed on this site. The First National Thanksgiving, the commissioning of Lafayette as Major General at age 20 and the news that France had appropriated a large sum of money with ships and troops to defeat the British for colonial America, took place there.
The courthouse was moved from the square in 1815 to Market Street, next to this statue of this man toasting with a cup. That man was Marquis De Lafayette. It was here where he said in part, “Gentleman, there’s one you have forgotten: I propose a toast to our Commander in Chief, George Washington.”
I was compelled not to miss the opportunity to pay my respects as an American patriot so far from home, to visit his tomb and raise a toast in my heart, like Lafayette raised a toast so far from his home, so Lafayette will be remembered, and not forgotten.
I went to my first Olympic Games in 1984 in Los Angeles where I learned the art of fencing as a child. When I heard the Olympic fencing was going to be held at the Grand Palais in Paris, I set a goal to see the Olympics in Paris 2024 as an adult.
I loved sports all my life and enjoy watching NASCAR with my friends. The Olympic games have always interested me, with the athletes competing at the highest level and representing their country with patriotism and hard work to achieve their goals and dreams. My life has had a series of ups and downs, and with that I have experienced good and bad. I use to struggle with alcohol and my mother’s dementia, but I picked myself up, put the drink down, and prayed for mom and myself to overcome obstacles, just like those athletes who struggle through their ups and downs and can achieve a dream.
My dream was to watch fencing at the Olympic Games in Paris. I did it.
While visiting Paris, I wanted to make it a mission to visit the tomb of Marquis de Lafayette, because I see his importance not just being a significant figure in American history, but to the history of York. After checking in to my hotel, the first thing I did was to walk to the famous point Neuf bridge to hail a cab. Scenes from the film “The Bourne Identity” were filmed here, and also the spot where the last grandmaster mason, Jacques Molay, was burned at the stake.
My destination was the Picpus Cemetery, where victims of the French Revolution are buried, along with the tomb and final resting place of Major General Marquis de Lafayette.
As I entered the cemetery, I was greeted by curator Milan Melet. I gave him a picture of the statue that stands in York, which he proudly accepted and displayed. He gave me permission to place another picture on Lafayette’s tomb and graciously explained the history of the cemetery, and directed me to the tomb.
As I walked with honor along a path to the back corner of the cemetery, it was quiet and a cool breeze was refreshing after being in the hot sun. Almost immediately, I was humbled by the presence of an American flag. Which I have been told flies 24 hours a day, seven days a week in France, just like the American flag is flown proudly over the beaches of Normandy, in honor of the sacrifices from the famous liberation of World War II.
As I stood there in the presence of my flag, all alone, I was reminded that to be a good leader is to be a good citizen, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
As for the Olympic flag and the Olympic torch, they go on their way to another place, but at this place, the American flag remains as a symbol: to the commitment of George Washington and his best friend Marquis de Lafayette of France, who believed in the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness of all citizens of this great nation.
I immediately thought of people close to my heart. I was so blessed and honored to stand there. I was thankful and inspired to share this journey and felt in that moment, moved with tears , and emotion, that I was a silent ambassador from York that day, and a proud citizen of the United States of America. I was proud but most of all truly humble to be an American in a foreign land, like Lafayette was proud to be French in a foreign land and know the importance of price of freedom for all.
Charles Morfin lives in York.
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