NORFOLK, Virginia. On May 5th, France paid tribute to its wounded warriors. In Norfolk, almost 6,000 kilometres away from Paris, the French contingent of Allied Command Transformation and Joint Force Command Norfolk joined together for a charity run event, one in a series of such efforts that will take place throughout the rest of 2024.
A Collective Commitment to France’s War Wounded
Led by Lieutenant Colonel Isabelle Roth and Commander Lionel Renault, the entire French contingent at these two NATO commands in Norfolk are mobilizing, including adults, families, and children, to support wounded warriors of France. “Our goal is twofold: to raise awareness of this cause among the many French and Francophile people living here in the United States, and to raise funds to support our wounded soldiers and their families” said Lieutenant Colonel Roth.
Runs symbolizing perseverance
As soon as the operation was launched, a team of runners was formed. They have entered various races in and around Virginia, starting with the Virginia Beach Marathon on March 17th and culminating in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC on October 27th, alongside their American brothers-in-arms. Commander Lionel pointed to “sport as a powerful tool for rebuilding and how everyone can be a part of our adventure.”
A Gathering Open to All
“Beyond the continuous action of our flagship running team, we wanted to mobilize a collective effort, bringing together the French community of Norfolk in support of our war-wounded. It is for this reason that on May 3rd, we organized a 7 km run/walk where performance was measured not by the stopwatch, but by the number of participants,” emphasized Colonel Nicolas Durand, Head of the French National Representation at Allied Command Transformation. About fifty people took part in the event, including, for this first time, participants from the delegations of other NATO countries who are stationed in Norfolk, demonstrating international solidarity for wounded soldiers.
“I thought it was a great cause that I absolutely wanted to support,” said Paula Claussen, a German civilian from the Gender Office, before her American comrade Megan Huber added: “We are here to support, as a group, the French wounded soldiers, but also all the men and women of the NATO armed forces.”
Their Inspiration: Cyrille Chahboune
This mobilization was galvanized by the operation’s sponsor, Cyrille Chahboune, a CPA-10 (Air Parachute Commando 10) who bears the scars of his commitment to serving France. As a Paralympian, Cyrille travels between the United States and France, alternating between preparing for the Paris Paralympic Games in Men’s Sitting Volleyball this summer, and spending time with his family, including his wife who is assigned to Joint Force Command Norfolk. His resilience, courage, and determination serve as an example to all participants.
“I am deeply touched by the enthusiasm generated by this operation,” said Cyrille Chahboune, present at the start of the May 3rd event alongside General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. For Chahboune, this collective charity effort is a source of immense pride. He sees himself entrusted with the noble mission of representing all of his wounded comrades and their families, a responsibility he assumes with fervour and gratitude. “I would like to warmly thank all those who are mobilizing for this noble cause,” he expressed. “Your support motivates me even more as the Paralympic Games approach.”
A Symbol of Support
Later in the morning, a stand was set up in the Command lobby to present the “Bleuet de France,” an emblematic symbol of commemoration and support for veterans and their families. Participants were able to buy cornflowers and make donations to support this noble cause.
Tribute to the Heroes of France
“I am extremely proud of the commitment and solidarity shown by our civilian and military personnel,” said General Philippe Lavigne, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. “Alongside the United Kingdom bike racing initiative, these sporting challenges perfectly illustrate the team spirit and camaraderie that characterize our Alliance. They are also an important opportunity to raise public awareness of the cause of war-wounded soldiers and to collect funds to support them. I strongly encourage all those who can to join these collective efforts and express their gratitude to these men and women who have given so much to defend our values and protect our citizens. They are the heroes of France, and we must show them our unwavering gratitude. Win as a Team!”
How to Support These Efforts
You can support the operation by donating to the online fundraiser: Alliance Française Hampton Roads – Invictus Donation or simply by becoming an outspoken advocate for this cause. Together, we can make a difference for the wounded veterans of France, and their families.