HERMIONE SAILBOAT OF LAFAYETTE DEPARTS FROM FRANCE TO AMERICA 235 YEARS LATER

USPA NEWS - "It is a great pride for France to participate, watch, live such an event" Said François Hollande, the French President before an audience in Fouras Harbour ("Port des Barques") launching the departure of the Hermione to America. A crew of 80 volunteers under the leadership of the French Navy.

The President of the Republic, François Hollande visited Fouras, Poitou Charente to attend from Hermione to the United states Of America. LHermione identical replica of the old sailboat Lafayette who took him in 1780, a historic journey and charged with symbolism. Indeed Marquis de Lafayette, a young French had decided to join the America at war at the time for there to support and help the American people to be free. He defies King Louis XV of the time and hand to the "New World", crossing the Atlantic aboard the Hermione.-------------------------------SYMBOLIC OF THE FREEDOM TOWARDS AMERICA------------ The President recalled a slice of history and the importance of the symbolism of FREEDOM : "Hermione is a name that resonates in history, it was the boat of Lafayette, a frigate of the Royal Navy who was inspired spirits of light. Today is a vessel that carries the friendship between France and the United States. The first time Hermione crossed the Atlantic, it was in 1780, 235 years ago, with on board a young man who was barely 23 years old, who was in charge of the most beautiful of missions, responsible by France, to provide support for the struggle for American independence. Three years earlier when he was just 20, Lafayette had already reached America, as he called himself "Defender of Freedom". Freedom is it what guided alongside the Americans insurgents of George Washington. Freedom is almost the same value also defended by Lafayette".----------------------

THE CONTRIBUTION OF FRANCE WAS DECISIVE: LAFAYETTE IS THE MOST BELOVED SON OF AMERICA--- -------------------------------------------For countries of America to gain freedom and thus is sealed are the most beautiful alliances. Fraternal alliance between France and the United States. Lafayette became a rallying assembly name. The mayor of New York said in 1824: "His homeland Lafayette considers as his most beloved son". Lafayette became a symbol of all causes And it is in Lafayette invoke the first American volunteers enlisted from from France in.. 1916, during the First World War. General Pershing is welcoming Lafayette, when landed with his troops in 1917 and is still in memory of Lafayette that Americans soldiers went to Normandy for our beaches. It was our turn later on, as we were in the situation of being free and independent. And even today, every July 4th celebration of American independence, a delegation of the United States is flowering the grave of Lafayette at Picpus Cemetery in Paris.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A BEAUTIFUL FRENCH-AMERICAN UNION (Applause)-------------------------------------------Exclaimed French President Francois Hollande. He continued: "For 20 years, we had to work all local authorities together and they were able to work despite the change of majority. These things can happen, and were able to work beyond the alternations and changes to make this great project of "Hermione" happen. The first to be thanked is the region (POITOU CHARENTE) Ségolene Royal (President of the Regional Council of Poitou Charente), pulse then Jean François Maquette and Dominique Bussereau from the county. All communities have come together, and I cannot forget the agglomeration of Rochefort and La Rochelle. And that's how we had € millions without the "French State" contributing any money. That's why I wanted to compensate by my presence, in a budget saving care that goes right to the heart of all (Humor, draws applause) ! However, at the same time the French state took action by appointing its best sailors, and the best engineers, officers. I also want to thank all them.---------

YOUR LARGE PRESENCE TODAY HERE IS THE REWARD FOR THS MASTERPIECE------------------------------------ François Hollande says The Hermione is a masterpiece, looks like a reverse Cathedral". He adds : " Thanks to "the Hermione", Rochefort has established relationships with all parts and I want here before the boat so magnificent. That we need a crew for a ship sails and that the commander Yann Cariou and his second, Gisele Gickela young woman, who today are on deck with 80 men and women crews; That's what we were capable of. And your large presence today here is the reward for this masterpiece". The President Hollande continues before the audience : "I'll end with a single message: Hermione is bright page of our history, because it carries universal values “‹“‹of commitment, freedom, courage and friendship between France and the United States. It shows that France has the will to decide everything and also take all beliefs, freedom and the one that always leads the people, and to remember what was said Lafayette, "To live freedom there will always be men rise and shake indifference or resignation and yet today so that we can succeed together so that France can move forward, and we must overcome resignation, indifference, and must display a willingness and commitment that France is proud when it sees its tricolor flag still be able as it always on. Long Live to the Republic Long Live to France and Long Live to"Hermione" ! ------------------------------------------- Source: www.elysee.fr, For more information see : www.poitou-charentes.fr, www.developpement-durable.gouv.f