The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-06-06
AMERICAS
MEDAL TO
VERDUN CITIZENS

VERDUN, June 4-The first
and only medal ever gwen by the
United States government to any
community in the world has taken
its place among the cherished
possessions of the city of Verdun.
1t was presented today by Ambas-
sador Myron 7. Herrick sin the
name of the Congress and the
People of the United States" to
the municipality of Verdun "as a
mark of Americas appreciation of
the valor of It's defenders"
at is the whole of the United
States which pays this honor" the
Ambassador said in his speech OF
presentation. at is our supreme
authority, our Congress and our
President, and with them our
people, One feels in this tribute,
representing The sentiment of
more than 100,000,000 human be-
ings, something fundamental, mas
sive. Their homage comes from
the Pacific coast and the Sierras,
from the Appalachians and the
Eastern seaboard, from our North
ern border, from our Mexican
boundary, and from the plains and
valleys between, sweeping, like a
tidal wave, across the ocean to
Verdun".
The fame of Verdun and the
glory of its defenders dates from
February q, 1916, when the Ger
man High Command began its CO.
lossal battle to crush the city, an
initiate the French right wing,
and win an immense military and
moral victory which, had it been
successful, might have meant a
different ending to the war.
But the defenders proved to be
invincible. In the Autumn of
1918, more than two years after
the gigantic struggle began, the
gallant army of Verdun stacked
its arms with the knowledge that
Imperial Germany had witnessed
the crushing of its supreme hope.
The Germans, with seven army
corps concentrated around Verdun
also had IA railroads at their dis
posal and more than 5000 pieces
of artillery of all calibres. The
French with a river in their
rear, had one railroad,
which was under enemy fire. BY
sacrificing men and material on q
lavish scale, the Germans counted
upon rapidly overcoming all OBJ
st2cles, smashing the defenders
resistance under deluge of 17-in.
shells, and taking the city within
a few days.
Their failure to foresee the ten
acious French resistance was
proved a year after the battle be-
gan, when it was learned that the
Germans had employed 50 divi-
sionS in II months against the city
which still remained in the hands
of its defenders. Beginning in
August, 1916, Germany in con-
sequence of the French British Of
fensive in the Somme, gradually
abandoned the campaign around
Verdun, in which venture she had
sacrificed the pick of her troops.
The city was finally and definitely
cleared on both banks of the
Mouse in November, 1918.
Building his speech upon this
magnificent defense, Ambassador
Herrick said that "Nerdun and
Nalor are forever one and insep-
arabic" Here blazed the spirit
of France" he continued. "The
valor was the valor of France.
General Petain had spoken for
France, They shall not pass.
"And so this medal, which |
give to this illustrious city, hal
lowed by sacrifices and courage of
all France, is a tribute from the
whole United States to all of
France
"If the United States had seen
this same French sacrifice and
courage devoted to a selfish, I'M
worthy cause he added, "thiS
tribute would not be offered to-
day. 1t was because the horrors
of this fight and glory of this vic
tory meant safety and liberty for
France: it Is because France
fought here, not as the aggressor,
but as the champion of peace and
righteousness that we of the
United States feel, and take JOY
in expressing, our unstinted ad-
miration."
Yet, he said, no one who read
Verdun's epic story could with
hold admiration for the tremen-
dous power of the German at
tack, and for the logged pertina-
city and courage of the German
soldier.
But no medal will ever be
struck by the United States in
commemoration of German valor
at Nerdun", he declared, "be-
cause of our deep and abiding con
viction that the German valor and
sacrifice were poisoned by the
purpose to which they were de-
voted.
Referring TO the comradeship in
arms sealed in the blood of Que
bravest and best" Ambassador
Herrick said shat it would not eva
porate in the heat of the first cas-
ual disagreement.
at is no Insubstantial. ephem-