Subj: FAO SUPPORT FOR MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY IN BELLEAU WOOD AND
PARIS FRANCE, 19-28 MAY, 2013 ICO CAPT LORELEI GAUS,
AFTER ACTION REPORT
IN REPLY REFER TO
1520
LMG
4 Jun 13
From: Captain Lorelei Gaus
To: Protocol Director, Marine Barracks Washington, DC
Subj: FAO SUPPORT FOR MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY IN BELLEAU WOOD AND
PARIS FRANCE, 19-28 MAY, 2013 ICO CAPT LORELEI GAUS,
AFTER ACTION REPORT
1. Purpose. To report on FAO support provided to the Commandant of the Marine Corps (CMC) and 5th Marine Regiment mission in Paris, France from 19-28 May, 2013.
2. Background. Senior USMC leadership participates in the annual Memorial Day ceremony to commemorate World War I Battle of Belleau Wood in recognition of our significant relationship with France as a long-standing coalition partner. In addition to ceremonial duties this year, a bilateral training event was scheduled between French and U.S. Marines. As a French-speaking FAO and experienced protocol officer at Marine Barracks Washington, I supported the planning, preparation and execution of CMC’s official visit to Paris, to include a counterpart meeting with French Army Chief of Staff and participation in the ceremony at Belleau Wood. I was also able to leverage my French language, regional expertise and culture skills as a force multiplier for the 5th Marine Regiment who conducted joint training in Frejus, France and participated in the Memorial Day ceremony.
3. Defense Attaché Office (DAO). For ten days, I worked primarily with the Marine Attaché at the American Embassy in Paris, LtCol Christopher Pollard. He led Embassy efforts for the planning and execution of U.S. involvement in Memorial Day commemoration of the Battle of Belleau Wood. He was also the primary liaison in Paris for the planning of CMC’s official visit. As a newly-designated FAO, working in the DAO was extremely educational and exposed me to many future opportunities available as a FAO in the Marine Corps. Prior to this evolution, I had few insights into the complex and layered mission of Defense Attachés. Additionally, I observed and interacted in the everyday operations of several agencies at the U.S. Embassy and better understand the five functional areas of the foreign service. Recommendation: I highly recommend exposure to the Defense Attaché Office for FAOs, particulary those recently designated. This travel was a highly educational experience, not only in terms of future career opportunities, but in the overall functioning of the U.S. interagency.
4. French Defense structure. While conducting the planning for the Memorial Day ceremony and CMC’s scheduled counterpart visit, I worked closely with the International Affairs branch of the French Ministry of Defense. I helped coordinate a scheduled breakfast with General Amos and General Bertrand Ract-Maddoux, the Chief of Staff of the French Army, where they were to sign a bi-lateral partnership agreement. My French FAO skills complemented my PMOS experience as an Adjutant and Protocol Officer in a very tangible way here. I briefed General Francis Autran, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning and Operations of the French Army, on the commemoration ceremony and his role as the lead French military representative. These experiences were great exposure to the functioning of the French Ministry of Defense. Recommendation: Incorporate joint meetings, exchanges with foreign counterparts and other such activities in FAO travel.
5. Memorial Day Ceremony at Belleau Wood. The ceremony to commemorate the Battle of Belleau Wood was held on Sunday, 26 May at the Aisne-Marne Memorial Cemetery, 87 kilometers East of Paris. The Marine Attaché in Paris and the Aisne-Marne staff did a wonderful job putting together a reverent and moving ceremony. As the Protocol Officer of Marine Barracks Washington, I have attended this ceremony in 2011 and 2012 with the Battle Color Detachment. Sequestration budget cuts prevented the same level of Marine Corps participation as in years past, dropping the presence of Marines from 200 to 50. The absence of a U.S. Marine band was particularly pronounced, and contributed to the sense of unevenness of representation in the ceremony. French spectators understood the budgetary constraints that prevented a musical unit from travelling to the ceremony. One day prior to the ceremony, CMC’s aircraft experienced a mechanical malfunction in England, and he was unable to come. MajGen Raymond Fox, Commanding General of II Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. Marine Forces Africa, came in CMC’s place. Upon notification Saturday night that Gen Amos would not attend, I contacted MajGen Fox’s aide and set up a meeting to provide him with a brief of the sequence of events for the following day. The event was a great success, due largely to Marine flexibility and the ability to call an audible play-change at the last minute. Recommendation: FAO support should continue to be sought out during planning and execution of the Memorial Day ceremony at Belleau Wood. When fiscally feasible, a musical element and platoon of Marines should mirror the French representation for this ceremony.
6. Belleau Wood Reception. The reception immediately following the Memorial Day ceremony was where French-speaking FAOs made the most significant impact with the local French population. Five of 50 U.S. participants spoke French; all were instantly sought after to translate between the French public and Marines. Following the ceremony, the French public joins the Marines at the old stables of the Countess of Belleau, a short walk from the ceremony site. The town of Belleau provides refreshements, and the reception usually lasts several hours. In my three years attending this reception, the French public has consistently been eager to engage with the U.S. Marines, but lack the English-speaking ability to do so. FAOs become vital to this mission, not only as a link between the U.S. delegation and the French population, but also as French-speakers in uniform who can significantly shape the French perception of the U.S. military. The French-speaking military personnel in attendance, to include myself, Major Christopher Frederick, Major Jean-Patrick Exantus (currently serving on a USMC personnel exchange program tour in France), Staff Sergeant Julien Guerrier (USMC Foreign Area Specialist), Lieuteant Colonel Christopher Pollard (Marine Attaché at the American Embassy in Paris), and First Lieutenant James Phelan (French-speaking officer currently assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment) were all integral to the success of this mission. Many French locals brought small gifts, such as coins and artistic depictions of the battle that they wanted to present to the senior Marine in attendance. Having French-speaking Marines to facilitate this exchange made it more meaningful and significant. The majority of the cultural and interpersonal exchanges that I experienced on this TAD occurred at this reception. This reception is an ideal venue for reinforcing the transatlantic partnership between France and the United States. It is well-attended and warmly received by the local French population. Recommendation: Continue to provide French-speaking FAOs for this ceremony and reception. A minimum of five French-speaking FAOs are recommended to maximize the engagement opportunities with the local French population.
7. Summary. The Memorial Day ceremony commemorating the Battle of Belleau Wood is a significant event for the U.S. Marine Corps and the French population. For the French public, the sacrifices of the First World War continue to resonate profoundly. Churches still list the names of local sons and neighbors lost in the Great War. Ceremonies like this are important in maintaining strong relationships through shared historical experience. French-speaking FAOs are a vital component in building relationships and should continue to be used in this capacity. Additionally, exposure to the Embassy mission and the Defense Attaché Office is very rewarding and educational to junior FAOs.
8. I can be contacted by phone or e-mail at 202-433-6083 or .
L. M. GAUS
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