Lafayette Escadrille Re-dedication April 20 in Paris
Mike Williams
Staff Writer
On Wednesday, April 20th, several dignitaries and VIPS from around the world will gather in Paris to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Lafayette Escadrille. Though they came from many different backgrounds, from Harvard graduates to ambulance drivers, the volunteer pilots who formed the Escadrille all shared a sense of adventure and a passion for the French cause. Their sacrifice in the war helped to further solidify the strong bonds of friendship and loyalty between France and the United States.
The ceremony will be attended by leading figures of American and French diplomacy and air forces, a symbol of the political and military bonds wrought by the men of the Escadrille. As a part of the ceremony, there will be a flyby consisting of several WWI-era aircraft through to modern day F-22 Raptors and a US B-52 bomber.
Read about the American fliers who made up the Escadrille in the "Stories of the Fliers" pages of the Lafayette Escadrille section of the web site.
Michael Williams is a volunteer at the World War One Centennial Commission. He was a 2015 Intern during the fall semester.
