A 99-year-old New Orleans businessman perfect identified within the town as a owner of his circle of relatives’s landmark hat retailer on St. Charles Street was once commemorated by way of the president of France on Tuesday for his army carrier throughout International Warfare II.
Samuel Meyer, who nonetheless places in a couple of days per week at Meyer the Hatter, the trade began by way of his grandfather in 1894, was once awarded the rank of chevalier, or knight, of the Nationwide Order of the Legion of Honor.
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“To obtain this award from the French govt, is testomony to the bond that exists between our two countries,” Meyer mentioned throughout a rite on the Nationwide International Warfare II Museum, blocks clear of his circle of relatives trade. “The bond between our two countries is unbreakable. And I’m commemorated to have performed a small phase in strengthening it.”
99-year-old hat salesman and International Warfare II veteran Samuel Meyer is photographed after ceremonies on the Nationwide International Warfare II Museum in New Orleans, on Feb. 27, 2024. (AP Picture/Kevin McGill)
Drafted at age 18, Meyer was once a corporal with the 485th Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Team, 9th Air Power. He was once stationed at more than a few occasions in Britain, Belgium, France and Germany. He served as an armorer, charged with loading bombs and ammunition on P-38 fighter planes. “I needed to put the bullets within the weapons,” he defined after the rite.
In step with the Consulate Common of France in New Orleans, the Nationwide Order of the Legion of Honor was once established by way of Napoleon Bonaparte on Might 19, 1802, and club is thought of as France’s best possible honor.
The award was once bestowed on behalf of the French president by way of French Ambassador Laurent Bili, who pinned a medal to Meyer’s lapel as Meyer’s spouse of 64 years, Marcelle, appeared on with pals, circle of relatives and museum guests.
Talking later with newshounds, Bili stressed out that the award will have to be earned.
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“We don’t seem to be giving an award to other people for the place we come from, their delivery rights, however for his or her benefit rights,” Bili mentioned.
