FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 15, 2003
CONTACT: SENATE OFFICE OF
COMMUNICATION
PHONE: 225-342-9737

The Louisiana State Senate is publicly commending State Senators Mike Smith and Cleo Fields for their patriotism and decisive action to protect and recover an American flag they observed being mishandled during a ceremony several months ago in France. The incident occurred last October when the two senators traveled to France as part of a Louisiana economic and cultural exchange group led by Louisiana’s First Lady Alice Foster and Senate President John Hainkel.

The delegation’s visit focused on the strong cultural and historical ties between Louisiana and France, tourism opportunities and important economic development issues. As part of the visit, representatives of the D-Day Museum in New Orleans met with representatives of the D-Day Museum in Caen France where special ceremonies were held. It was at the end of those ceremonies when the problem developed.

As Senate President Hainkel explained, "It was very cold. It was raining. We were there to celebrate the American troops liberating the people of Normandy and they were very gracious and very courteous to us. But for some reason, the gentlemen who were in charge of taking down the flags, took our flag down and it was on the ground. Senators Smith and Fields went up to them and told them they didn’t appreciate that and when the fellows didn’t do anything about our flag on the ground, the senators took it and returned to it to the United States. I want to commend them for their actions and in their honor I ask that we fly the flag here in the Senate."

With that, the Louisiana State Senate honored Senators Smith and Fields with the passage of Senate Resolution 14. The resolution "acknowledges the decisive action taken by Senator Mike Smith and Senator Cleo Fields on that cold and dreary day in the Normandy Region of France to protect the Flag of the United States of America and commends them for exercising their patriotism by recovering the flag and seeing it returned to the country that honors it."

In accepting the commendation, both senators said they were just doing what was right. The flag is currently hanging in the rear of the Senate Chamber.