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France thank you to D-Day forces

National Assembly adopts resolution expressing 'gratitude' to Allied soldiers, while tourism body plans selfie campaign

FRANCE’S National Assembly yesterday unanimously voted to adopt a resolution expressing “gratitude and appreciation” to the Allied forces who landed at Normandy in June 1944.

A reciprocal document is expected to be voted through the US Senate before the end of the month, according to the Assembly’s vice president Laurence Dumont.

The idea was born when students from Carentan (Manche) visited Washington DC.

It is hoped the two-way resolution will help the bid to have the five landing beaches - codenamed Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword - designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.

During the debate, a number of MPs pointed to the Franco-German friendship that has developed since the Second World War.

MP Jean-Jacques Chandelier also reminded members that the actions Soviet forces on the Eastern Front prevented the Nazis from reinforcing defences in Normandy.

The Île-de-France regional tourism body, meanwhile, is turning to social media to mark the 70th anniversary of Paris’s liberation in August.

It is encouraging Parisians to take “selfie” pictures of themselves taken at famous landmarks in the capital and post them on social media sites, such as Twitter, with the hashtag #wearefreemerci.

Americans, meanwhile, will be asked to reply with “selfies” of their own taken at landmarks in the USA, with the hashtag #youarewelcomeparis.

We are contacting the Île-de-France regional tourism body to ask if it is planning similar campaigns with Britain, Canada, and other Allied nations.

Photo: Bastian Greshake

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