Politics & Government
Honoring North Shore Veterans
Leg. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton presents citation to Leonard Wurzel, who recently was awarded 'Chevalier' of the Legion d'Honneur.
Note: Check back with Patch on Monday for photos of the Glen Cove Parade.
In honoring the nation's veterans, Leg. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, D-Glen Cove, presented a citation to Leonard Wurzel, who recently was awarded 'Chevalier' of the Legion d’Honneur (a knight).
The former long-time mayor of Sands Point, Mr. Wurzel, along with seven World War II veterans, received this award on May 10 by decree of President Hollande. They were decorated by the Consul General of France, Mr. Bertrand Lortholary, and by Mr. Guy Wildenstein, President of The American Society of the French Legion of Honor, at the Consulate General of France in New York on the occasion of the anniversary of the end of WWII.
The Legion of Honor is France’s highest distinction and was created to honor extraordinary contributions to the country. Only a small number of Legion of Honor medals awarded each year in the United States, and great care is taken to nominate only those with the most distinguished records. U.S. veterans, who served during World War II on French territory, may be awarded this distinction. Those selected are appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor, and the medal is not awarded posthumously.
Initially intended to recognize French military service, the award criteria was expanded to recognize contributions in various disciplines of civil life. The award now recognizes entrepreneurs, high-level civilian servants, sport champions, and even filmmakers in addition to members of the French military. Mr. Wurzel meets all the criteria, and is a military veteran who served for almost five-years in the U.S. Army, including a year on French territory in the US Headquarters in Normandy and Paris with an outstanding military record.
Prior to attending the Glen Cove parade, the legislator was in Port Washington where she presented citation's to the community's Co-Grand Marshal's Ed Balcourt, who served in the the U.S. Army in World War II, and Peter Ripullone, who served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.
Editor's Note: With special thanks to Jean-Marie Posner.
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