Saturday, September 12, 1998
Contact: Melissa Forsythe

Governor Patton Honors Americans Who Sacrificed for Freedom in World War Two; Normandy welcomes Kentucky

Deauville, France: Utah and Omaha, the names of beaches that need no explanation for America’s veterans of World War Two. Kentucky Governor Paul Patton explored German bunkers at Pointe du Hoc and surveyed the steep cliffs as high as 170 feet scaled by American soldiers who participated in the Allied invasion of the Normandy coast of France on June 6, 1944, commonly called D-Day. Patton led a solemn ceremony of remembrance at the American Cemetery and Memorial, where, tears streaming, they placed a wreath in memory of the 213 Kentuckians and thousands of other American soldiers who helped liberate the French and defeat the Germans. Governor Patton visited the final resting place of Kentuckians, whose grave markers, like all those in the cemetery, face west, towards the United States. Governor Patton said, "It was very moving to see the place where such courage was demonstrated by so many in the face of such obstacles."

The mayor of Deauville, Anne d’Ornano, told the governor, "Normandy, this part of the world, belongs to America like no other place. Everywhere you see the French flags flying alongside the American flag, because we remember what you did for us. We feel everyday the horrors and the sacrifices that took place here where American soldiers are forever sleeping under our apple trees." D’Ornano hosted the Pattons at a luncheon and reception for the American Film Festival, which is previewing films for European release including "Saving Private Ryan", which details the events of the Normandy invasion. Tonight the Pattons are honored guests at the premiere of "The Mask of Zorro", expected to be attended by its star, Antonio Banderas. The festival receives a lot of media attention in France, and Kentucky’s flag and tourism development efforts are being showcased this year.

Deauville, a town where horse racing is as much a part of the culture as it is in Kentucky, is the sister city of Lexington, a twinning that has lasted more than 40 years. Governor Patton said, "We in Kentucky have a long and close relationship with the French, from the time Lafayette came to our rescue and gave us the name for Fayette County, to Louisville, named after Louis Quatorze and beyond. As an interior state in our country, we realize that we’re citizens of the world as well and I’m so pleased to be with you in Normandy, a place I’ve heard about all my life." Governor Patton told the French crowd, "Anyplace that makes an effort with horses, the environment, and nature, is beautiful." He said that establishing bonds of friendship, as Lexington and Deauville have done, are important in the ongoing effort to help nations understand each other and preserve peace.

The mayor presented the governor with a certificate naming him as an honorary citizen of Deauville, and commended Judi Patton for the First Lady’s efforts on behalf of victims of abuse and work to prevent breast cancer.

Governor Patton heads for England Sunday for the final leg of his European visit to promote economic and tourism development.

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