12/13/2023 0 Comments Retrospect knoxvilleWe will never forget that in our infancy France was our standby friend.” The ceremony, he continued, “is an exchange of greetings and courtesies and kindnesses, the roots of which are deep in our people. He said, “Those of us who have seen France in her tribulation and in her joy know the spirit of her people.” In acceptance, Governor Browning said he was not acting as governor of the state but as a representative of the people. He then addressed Governor Browning and turned over the “Thank you” car which had been parked, surrounded by the bands and other elements of the parade, on Deaderick st., directly in front of the reviewing stand. Quoting from a poem, said, “Every man has two countries, his own and France.” He then said, “I would like for the Frenchman to have two countries, his own and America.” Picard said 49 railroad cars which served in two World wars to transport American and French troops to the front had been filled with valuable French keepsakes and sent to America “to make more binding the bonds of friendship between our two nations.” He thanked the Nashville Exchange club, which sponsored collections for the “Friendship Train” here. Zeek, professor of romance languages at Vanderbilt university. ![]() Hubert Kemp of the Nashville police force was parade marshal.Īfter presentation of dignitaries on Memorial square by Judge Todd and the invocation by the Rev. Crowds were orderly and traffic tie ups were at a minimum. The parade moved smoothly along without a hitch. It got its name from its capacity of 40 men and eight horses. expeditionary forces were sent to France. The 40 and 8 car has been particularly glamorized by American troops who were transported in it to the front both times U. High buildings, signs, windows and every vantage point were utilized by spectators anxious to get a squint at the boxcar, which has gained world wide fame through two World Wars. and Memorial square, the sidewalks were lined, and spectators overflowed into the streets, blocking passage except on the parade’s line of march. Cecilia, West End, and Pearl high.Īlong the parade route up Broadway to Eighth ave., to Church st., to Capitol blvd. Next followed a marine color guard, cars of the sheriff, the governor, other dignitaries and the air force recruiting service bands of CMA, the ROTC, the Nashville 40 and 8 voiture’s locomotive, the Tennessee Motor Transport association, bands of CHMA and Father Ryan, a Vanderbilt University float, NROTC and bands of Issac Litton, St. To begin the ceremony, the parade moved away from the front of Union railroad station at 3:15 p.m., led by a police detail consisting of city, county and state traffic men. Andre Picard, director general of French railroads who fathered the idea of sending to America valuable French art work in response to the “Friendship Train” sent from this country to France in 1947, presented the little “40 and 8” box car with its “Thank You” cargo. Cecilia and Pearl high-the spectacular parade was observed by an estimated 10,000 persons.įive thousand saw presentation ceremonies on Memorial square, according to an estimate by Judge Henry Todd, master of ceremonies and Nashville “Gratitude Train” committee chairman. ![]() Paced by stalwart cadets, ROTC units, and peppy bands of midstate military academies and high schools-Columbia Military academy, Castle Heights, Father Ryan, Issac Litton, West End high, St. Gordon Browning accepted the French people’s thanks for Tennesseans’ generosity, climaxing a colorful parade and ceremony in which the Tennessee car of the French “Gratitude Train” was delivered to the state. The peoples of France and Tennessee joined hands yesterday.
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