It became very clear this week to four Ohio veterans that France doesn't forget those who were there to fight in its hour of need. Neal Burdette, Bernard Eshelman, George Zwahlen and Vernon Miller all participated in the liberation of France in World War II, and they are now some of the most recent recipients of the country's prestigious Medal of Knight of the Legion of Honor.
Created by Napoleon in 1802, the Legion of Honor is, according to The Associated Press, presented to "those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France." Members of the military, government and the arts have all been among those named Knights of the French Legion of Honor.
The French Consul General, Vincent Floreani, awarded the medals at a ceremony in the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday.
One of the four honored veterans, Bernard Eshelman of Columbus, hasn't let 91 years of age dim his sense of humor. When 10TV asked him how he felt about earning one of France's top honors, he replied "I thought it was kind of late…70 years ago."
Eshelman was 18 when he was drafted into the Army. He made it through D-Day unscathed, crossing Normandy Beach late in the day, but he was injured twice while serving in France.
Neil Burdette wasn't so lucky. The 90-year-old veteran, who was overseas from 1944 to 1946, looked so bad after he was shot in the head that another soldier covered him with a blanket, presuming the worst.
"They were ready to dump me with the rest," Burdette told 10TV. Obviously the Lancaster resident wasn't quite ready for that maneuver.
While the four men took the opportunity to laugh and reminisce, there was a solemn understanding among them that not everyone survived to live a long life after service. They accepted their medals with all those who didn't make it back home in mind.