Belgian awarded medal for keeping alive memory of WWII GIs

The efforts of Belgian Emile Lacroix were recognised on Saturday as he received the Department of Defence Medal for Distinguished Public Service, Stripes’ Matt Millham writes. The medal is the highest award the secretary of defence can present to a private citizen, politician, non-career federal employee or foreign national. Born in 1940, as Belgium was occupied by Nazi Germany, Lacroix grew up hearing stories about the feats of American GIs who liberated his village. For most of the past four decades, Lacroix has made it his life’s work to keep alive the memory of what American soldiers did for his countrymen in World War Two, especially those of the 82nd Airborne Division. The award was sponsored by the 82nd, but was initiated by Larry Mallet and Christopher Schaede, Air Force veterans who a few years ago took part in a walk organised by Lacroix. The 31st edition of that walk took place on Saturday – a 13.5-mile trek in the footsteps of two 82nd Airborne units during the Battle of the Bulge. “The detail that he goes into to make this so realistic for families of World War Two veterans like myself is astounding,” Mallet said. “What he’s doing here, it motivated me to see this award all the way through.” Lacroix said he had never imagined he’d be recognised in such a way and considers the work he does to make sure veterans aren’t forgotten a privilege. “We were occupied and they came to liberate us,” he said. “I spend my life thanking them. Because when somebody asks me, ‘Why do you do this?’ I say, ‘Because I like liberty.’ This word is enough to say everything.”