A Sour Victory
The French mark the end of World War 2, with or without America
On this 80th anniversary of Europe’s victory in World War 2, how did the French show their gratitude for America’s sacrifice? In Rennes, this year, they ignored it.
Which is a low-key yet notable sign of the worsening relations between the two countries.
We’ve attended the mid-day tribute to the end of the war in the past three years at our Place de la Mairie, and enjoyed the pomp — the rows of soldiers in their rigid kepis, the flags and swords, the strutting officers with chests full of medals, the speeches, the awarding of military honors and, of course, repeated choruses of La Marseillaise. We looked at it as a small but meaningful way of integrating into the culture of our new country, one that also allowed us to bask in some good ol’ red, white and blue patriotic pride.
After all, Victory Day celebrates the historic moment when Europe, along with its Allies from around the world, defeated the Nazis. Inevitably, the event included more than a few nods to America’s role. Last year, for example, the military band played a rousing rendition of Stars and Stripes Forever.
In our experience, such displays of gratitude for the American blood shed in the Liberation of France are not unusual here. There are scattered memorials to American GIs throughout Brittany, and it’s common to see American flags here, waving aside the French tricolors.
It’s true that, while France is America’s oldest ally, the friendship between the two countries since WW2 has had its bumps. It got particularly testy when France declined to support the U.S. invasion of Iraq. America, egged on by right-wing media, reacted with predictable boorish behavior. Who can forget “freedom fries” and those scenes of restaurateurs dumping expensive bottles of Dom Perignon?
The latest go-round seems nastier.
Trump’s abandonment of Ukraine, his tilt toward Russia, his crackdown on immigration and academic freedom, his inane tariffs — they’ve turned things so frosty, one French politician called for America to return the Statue of Liberty. The suggestion was facetious, of course, but the point was made: In the eyes of many in Europe, America is not longer upholding the values symbolized by Lady Liberty.
Naturally, we’re hearing the same mindless tripe from Washington, about how France owes America for “bailing” it out in WW2. This time, it’s being voiced by the White House, where that dimwit Karoline Leavitt prattled that “it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now.”
Not surprisingly, three-quarters of the French now say America is no longer an ally.
On Wednesday, we held our breath as the military band stood in formation at the center of the cobblestoned place, between the city’s majestic Opera and its 18th-century Hotel de Ville.
Other cities seemed to welcome America at their Victory Day celebrations. I saw photographs of American flags at ceremonies in Brest and Province. And, significantly, a U.S. military band marched in front of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
In Rennes? People here used to laugh off Trump’s excesses, mocking his hair, his criminal convictions, his various outrages. But no longer. Our city is a huge supporter of Ukraine, devoting taxpayer funds to humanitarian aid while welcoming Ukrainian refugees, students and researchers. These days, locals who know we’re American citizens sympathize with our disdain for Trump. They shake their heads in disbelief at his grotesque presidency. Meanwhile, I’m reluctant to wear my red Phillies cap in public because it’s already been mistaken as a MAGA symbol.
The band played another chorus of La Marseillaise, a beautiful version of Amazing Grace. Would it also play Sousa? And, if it did, would the spectators cheer as they had in the past, or would they boo?
Nothing.
No cheers, no boos — because there was no song. The French here, apparently, felt it was better to skip the whole damn thing.
I really can’t blame them. Can you?
In regards to the Karoline Leavitt complaining that the French are not appreciative enough of America's help during WWII and that “it’s only because of the United States of America that the French are not speaking German right now,” the French could claim that America is not appreciative enough of its help during the American Revolution, and that, but for France, Americans would be speaking....well, you get the point.
Cornwallis surrendered to GW at Yorktown because General Rochambeau's arrived with 7000 troops plus sufficient gold to pay the American soldiers' their long overdue back wages (which had led to desertion on the American ranks) and Admiral de Grasse defeated Admiral Graves at the Chesapeake Bay, preventing British supplies and reinforcements from reaching Cornwallis at Yorktown. Unless both things happened, Cornwallis does not surrender. And Americans do not realize how significant this was since I think this was the only significant naval victory by the French over a British fleet in the 18th & 19th centuries. So maybe our hep to France in WWII should be viewed as a thank you for France's help during the American Revolution, and not as an outstanding debt that remains unpaid.
Can't blame Rennes at all, especially given Trump's attitudes about sacrifice (especially in war), his disdain for traditional allies, his cruelty, and much more. His "big, beautiful" June military parade to celebrate his birthday (and as an aside that of the army's) is yet another example of how unfit he is.