D-Day hero represents his comrades

[Jim]

The ambassador of France to the United States had the hero of Tiara Street in Valley Village over for drinks and dinner recently at his palatial estate in Beverly Hills.

After dessert, Pierre Vimont asked for silence from the hundred or so guests, rose from his chair, and pinned the French Legion of Honor medal on Ben Berger's lapel.

Noting tears in the 88-year-old war hero's eyes, the ambassador said, "Oh, I hope I have not stuck you in the skin through your shirt, Mr. Berger."

No, Mr. Ambassador, Ben said, it's just an emotional moment. Don't worry about it. He'd been stuck many times before.

Vimont smiled and then did something Berger - who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day with a unit of Army Rangers off the coastline of Normandy - never had done to him before.

Vimont kissed Berger on both cheeks.

"Now that was new," Ben told me later. "By a man, at least."

No matter what your feelings are now on France, our milquetoast ally in the war on terror, that country does something every year that is both classy and appreciated.

It recognizes half a dozen or so elderly American soldiers who - when they were young - saved France's bacon from Hitler when the German dictator wanted to turn the Eiffel Tower and the rest of that country into his private sandbox.

Before it's too late, France wants to honor the rapidly dwindling population of GIs who distinquished themselves with honor and courage that fateful

day on June 6, 1944, when 2,700 ships carrying 176,000 troops crossed the English Channel to save France and turn World War II around.
Berger lives over on Tiara Street in Valley Village with his wife, Rae. He was a young naval officer assigned to a company of Army Rangers that "landed on Omaha Beach in one of D-Day's most dangerous assignments," Vimont said, in praising Berger's actions under fire.


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[LRS Guy]

"Hero"....that pretty much sums it up.

[Ranger Bill]

There are still a few WWII Rangers kicking and they will be at Fort Benning for the Ranger Rendezvous and Reunion. One more reason to attend.