General Discussion

littlemissmartypants

(35,871 posts)

17. You just triggered a memory, sir pball. I was fortunate enough to be present for a celebration at Yorktown in the 1990s.

Reply to sir pball (Original post)

Wed Jul 8, 2026, 01:20 AM

Yesterday

The USS Yorktown was the setting for the event.

I met and spoke with the president at the time, François Mitterrand. In the receiving line, I thought he seemed very tall. He was smiling.

Then we shook hands for the first time, and he noticed the pin I was wearing on the lapel of my red woolen suit that said, "God Bless America!"

What happened next was delightful and caught me totally off guard.

He continued to hold my hand, bent down close, and whispered in my ear, "Vive la France." Then he smiled at me and squeezed my hand. I swear he had a twinkle in his eye.

It was one of the greatest moments of my amazing life.

Thank you so much for sharing this photo with us.

🇫🇷❤️🇫🇷

USS Yorktown CG-48
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Yorktown_(CG-48)

Every October 19, Yorktown, Virginia celebrates the important American Revolutionary War victory of 1781 with parades, performances and ceremonies. This event, called Yorktown Victory Day, marks the battle that helped win independence for the United States.

https://www.jyfmuseums.org/learn/teacher-resources-programs/classroom-resources/hands-on-history/yorktown-victory-day

Siege of Yorktown
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Yorktown