Schweighouse-sur-Moder, Bud, and me

This was a moment I will treasure forever.

Bud and I are standing in front of the home in Schweighouse sur Moder, France where a fierce battle took place between Germans and Americans in 1945.

This battle ended two lives. PFC Wayne Cruse was killed in the house behind us, and PFC Barney Parrish was killed in front of a home just up the street.

Bud Gahs was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor for his role in repulsing the German attack on the house you see in this photo.

Last summer Bud was surprised with a huge presentation by our French friends and pinned with the French Legion of Honor. He was also made an honorary citizen of this town of Schweighouse sur Moder - which was called Schweighausen during the war.

Last month when we returned to Schweighouse to visit our friends, it was my turn to be surprised when I was given this plaque which signifies that I am also now a (very proud!) honorary citizen of Schweighouse for the work I have done to preserve and honor the memory and legacy of the men who fought here on this street, and the people they liberated from brutal occupation.

This is a HUGE honor. The men of this company are my heroes and their stories are always with me. To share this moment with a great man like Bud humbles me to my core.

The icing on the cake is the friendship with our French friends Christelle and Tanguy, Damien, Tom and Marion, Materne, Annick and General Degoulange who are the descendants of those who were liberated. With their hearts and their time they passionately honor the stories of Bud and his company and ensure that they will never be forgotten. This is the kind of bond that words cannot ever really describe.

Friendships forged through 78 years of history on two continents and bringing a whole company of men to life. It doesn’t get any better than this!