July 4, 1917, Paris, France
The American army was beginning to arrive in France in late June 1917. The first U.S. Army unit to arrive was the 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Division (the Big Red One.)
On July 4th, the American Commanding General John J. Pershing and the 16th Infantry Regiment proudly marched under the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs-Élysées. The Parisians wildly welcomed the Americans, shouting Sammies (for Uncle Sam) and Teddies (for Teddy Roosevelt.)
However, one American officer, Colonel Charles E. Stanton, avoided the fanfare and quietly made his way to the Picpus Cemetery and the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette.
Colonel Stanton stood at attention in front of the tomb and smartly saluted while saying, “Lafayette we are here.”
To me, this is singularly the greatest American quote of the First World War.
Colonel Stanton was there to pay homage to Lafayette’s dedicated service in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Lafayette served as a Major General and valiantly fought in somme of our fledgling nation’s most critical battles, including the Siege of Yorktown.
Colonel Stanton was telling Lafayette and the French people that the Americans were there to help the French nation in their hour of need and to repay a solemn debt.
I took this photograph of Lafayette’s tomb in late June 2014 and also gratefully saluted Lafayette.
