Photo by Carl Westergren, April 4th, 2019
Got this nice note from my friend Peter this morning:
Dear Mike,
A beautiful day. Je suis Français (I am French).
It's now official. Today, I was welcomed into French nationality and citizenship at a ceremony in a Paris town hall. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I was one of more than 70 others, from nationalities from all over the world representing a sort of mosaic of international geopolitics of these past seven decades.
I am very proud to be both French and American. Today was actually for me one of the most moving days of my adult life in many ways, and a culmination of now having lived in a country, France, for more than 40 years, that I love so much. After the ceremony, I went for lunch at my home away from home, La Brasserie de l'Ile St. Louis. I want to thank the very many people for their beautiful support and comments and congratulations on this wonderful day. Vive La France, Vive La République.
And just before that, I got a text from my friend Earl, from nearby Rochester. He's in Paris, and guess who he ran into on the street? None other. Just by chance.
Congratulations to Peter. Not bad for a scrappy kid from Fort Wayne. :-)
(posted by) Mike
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(Not) everything must fade away
(To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.)
Featured Comments from:
Earl Dunbar: "I was stunned to see Peter approaching me on the street and then doubly thrilled that today was his citizenship day. When I planned and started this trip, I pretty well knew Peter would be in Paris, and mused 'Wouldn’t it be lovely to run into him? But no, not likely to happen.' Then BAM!!! It was such a thrill—bien fait and congratulations Peter!!! One of these days my son will also become a French citizen, so I will be thrilled again!"
Scott Moore: "So beautiful. I know him only through your site (and his photo hanging on my wall and his book in my bookshelf) but he has always struck me as such a warm-hearted gentleman. And to see him and hear him so happy warms my heart. All the best to Peter. Vive La France, indeed."
Photo gallery of the Brasserie is by Peter Turnley http://www.labrasserie-isl.fr/galerie_en.htm
Posted by: Richard Parkin | Thursday, 04 April 2019 at 02:37 PM
Hopefully he patriotically dons his yellow vest and joins the protests against his government's corruption.
Posted by: Frank Petronio | Thursday, 04 April 2019 at 04:23 PM
Congratulations. After moving from Australia to North Americar 31 years ago (including living in Canada for 3 years), I have finally decided to get US citizenship (but who knows how much longer that will take).
Posted by: Steven Ralser | Thursday, 04 April 2019 at 04:36 PM
Damn I am 1/2 French. Did they ever invite me to become a legal citizen? No. (I think it is because I am part English :)
Peter that seem to have made you happy and my congrats to you.
Posted by: Mike Ferron | Thursday, 04 April 2019 at 08:00 PM
Being Belgian, living in Luxembourg and less than 20 miles from the French border, I can tell you it is probably the last country in Europe most Europeans would choose to become a citizen of.
Never forget that Paris is not representative of France, much like Washington, the city, is not of the US.
Posted by: Stephane Bosman | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 02:50 AM
That's fantastic good news!
In the seven years my wife and I have lived here, I've yet to encounter M.Turnley. Perhaps someday?
Posted by: Christopher Mark Perez | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 03:17 AM
What great news! I too am awaiting the decision of the French authorities to accept me as a citizen. Done all the paperwork and interviews, now just hoping!
Posted by: Andrew | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 05:27 AM
Congratulations!
Paris is one of my favourite cities in the entire World.
Posted by: Ilkka | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 06:35 AM
will Peter now become Pierre?
and some french wisdom:
Un verre de vin est bon pour la santé.
Le reste de la bouteille est bon pour le moral.
Cheers,
sebastian
Posted by: sebastel | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 09:00 AM
Congrats and I have to do that too. Renew my resident card and then go for my French passport and citizenship. Been living in France since 1996.
Posted by: Morris Taub | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 11:30 AM
Just a question - if he's been living there so long, what took him so long to decide to become a citizen?
ACG
Posted by: Aaron Greenman | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 12:18 PM
That reminds me, now that I am semi-retired I guess It is about time I took my citizenship test. I have been here in the USA for 25 years but was always too busy working.
Posted by: James | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 12:30 PM
As someone who spends 1/3 tp 1/2 of the year in France I understand his love of France. We have a tiny house in Provence and love the slow pace of the country. The majority of the people are warm and welcoming. I do not understand the comment about most of Europe not wanting to live in France. Just in our village we have residents from all over the EU, who love it. Chacun a son gout I suppose.
Posted by: James Weekes | Friday, 05 April 2019 at 02:49 PM