On Sunday, 29 January, Toulon recognised the contributions of local citizen Linda Lilly to the Norfolk Sister Cities motto of “Peace Through People.” The National Liaison Representative of France to Headquarters Allied Command Transformation, Air Force Colonel Eric Mongnot and French Navy ship ‘Mistral’ Commanding Officer Captain Xavier Moreau presented a memento from the Mayor of Toulon during the Annual International Luncheon of the Norfolk Sister Cities Association. The memento was carried from Toulon aboard the Mistral which is a Projection and Command Ship participating in the multilateral Bold Alligator exercise 2012. Other nations including NATO members participating are Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom and United States. Lilly has been Chairperson of the Norfolk end of the Norfolk-Toulon connection for many years and has participated in several people exchanges with Toulon. The people exchanges were especially noticeable during Norfolk NATOFest 2010 when France was the most honoured nation and sent many street performers to Norfolk for the celebration.

Although Lilly is handing over “responsibility” for the Norfolk – Toulon connection she will still remain “responsive” and says that she is looking forward to contributing.

For more information on the Norfolk Sister Cities relationship with several NATO nations and partners please go to www.norfolksistercities.org/

From left: President of NSCA Janis Weisberg,
French National Liaison Representative Colonel Eric Mongnot,
Linda Lilly – Past Chairperson of the Toulon Committee,
Mistral Commanding Officer French Navy Captain Xavier Moreau