Remembering General Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy lays flowers at the grave of the Marquis de Lafayette on July 4, 2015, Picpus Cemetery, Paris.
It is doubtful the American Republic would have been born were it not for the courage and generosity of our greatest French friend, Marquis de Lafayette, who joined the Continental Army at the age of 19 with the rank of lieutenant general.
He helped provision George Washington's army, led troops in several battles ,and played a key role at Yorktown.
He persuaded France to join the war on our side.
He was Washington's surrogate son and a beloved American.
When he died in 1830 he was eulogized by former President John Quincy Adams for three hours, and Congress and the nation mourned his death for 30 days.
All Americans today still owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Gen. Lafayette!
French bagpipers honor General Lafayette at the courtyard of Picpus Cemetary, Paris on July 4, 2015.
Visitors enter Picpus Cemetery in Paris. A plaque on the right side of the door honors the 1,306 murdered nearby during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror. These martyrs were buried in a mass grave here in 1794. Only descendants and relatives of these martyrs are allowed to be buried in this private cemetery.
Closeup of plaque.
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