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French thank American World War II veterans

Star Beacon - 8/19/2018

Aug. 18--CONNEAUT -- Representatives of the French government put a personal touch on the "thank you" ceremony for four World War II veterans who received France's highest honor on Saturday morning at D-Day Conneaut 2018.

Andy Simkovitch, of Lake City, Pennsylvania, received the French Legion of Honor in June of 2015 in Erie, Pa., for his service at D-Day and other parts of Europe, said his son Glenn Simkovitch, also of Lake City.

Glenn Simkovitch said his father has been coming to the D-Day Conneaut since 2007. He said his father was in a boat that capsized on D-Day leaving him in a precarious position that included catching another transport back to British soil.after a half-mile swim to shore.

"All I can say is I had to do the job to the best of my ability and come home," said Andy Simkovitch.

Four new Legion of Honor recipients were presented their awards by representatives of the French government during an emotional ceremony at Conneaut Township Park.

Sgt. Andrew Piccuta, a recovery specialist, of New Castle, Pennsylvania,was one of the four recipients of the award developed by Napoleon Bonaparte and was accompanied to the ceremony by more than 30 family members, said his daughter Mary Gay, also of New Castle.

Piccuta said he was honored by the presentation and didn't believe anything like this would ever happen.

"It is emotional. Emotions we never saw came out," Gay said of her father. She said he was honored and surprised when he learned of his award.

"He seemed overwhelmed," she said.

Cpt. George J. Foradas, of Canton, was another recipient of the award and was finally convinced to come to the event because he was the last living member of his unit.

"My mother and father took French in high school and that propbably saved his life," said Foradas' son, James. He said his mother Sophia was a member of the Greek Resistance as well.

Sgt. James W. Debth, of the Toledo area, and Pfc. John Davis, of Indiana, were the final two men honored.

Chicago Consul for the Republic of France Guillaume Lacroix gave brief biographies of the four men and thanked each man for his service in liberating not only France, but all of Europe.

"Thirty years ago I watched a movie that I have watched 50 times since. It is a movie called "Back to the Future" This is back to the future, back to 1944, a defining year for many nations," he said.

"The French people owe you this invaluable debt. Thank you. We will never forget. We will never, ever forget," Lacroix said.

He said the Legion of Honor is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the French government. "This is a big deal," he said.

Lacroix's biographies included explanations of each man's service

Foracas was a communiations operator that restored lines arriving at Normandy days after the invasion and Davis cleared mines and repaired bridges on the march through France, Lacroix said. He said Debth was a radio operator and gunner on a bomber and received permanent injuries when he was shot by the enemy and Piccuta fixed airplanes across Europe after arriving shortly after D-Day to assess damage.

State Rep. John Patterson and Conneaut Mayor James Hockaday handed out commendations to the award winners.

Patterson reminded those in attendance of the importance of present-day Americans following in the footsteps of the "Greatest Generation" to deny selves and do what is best for others in a troubled time.

When the ceremony concluded golf carts were used to deliver the veterans to the next stop during a very special day.

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(c)2018 the Star Beacon (Ashtabula, Ohio)

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