NationStates Jolt Archive


One of France's oldest surviving immigrants honoured

Ariddia
17-12-2007, 17:29
Lazare Ponticelli has been praised on his 110th birthday. He was an Italian immigrant, and is one of the only two French World War One veterans still alive. The president of the Cité nationale de l'histoire de l'immigration has praised him for having been a model immigrant. (link (http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jueI08l7JQYwFuXM9-GNE9VwuBDg))
Imperio Mexicano
17-12-2007, 17:29
There are WWI veterans still alive!? :eek:
The Atlantian islands
17-12-2007, 17:41
There has generally not been a problem with inter-Western European immigration, with the exception of the Swiss girls somehow falling for the Italian guys and Italian guys trying to act all macho about it and aggressive to the Swiss guys....:rolleyes:

But I digress. Generally the problems with immigration in Europe are associated with Eastern European and South-Eastern European immigration to Central/Western/Northern Europe.

......Oh, and I'm just talking about of European people....don't get me started on non-European immigration to Europe.:rolleyes:


Also, man..that guy must have been through sooooo much. I can't even imagine. Both world wars, the cold war AND the time period AFTER these events when those events are now refered to as history. Wow.
Laerod
17-12-2007, 17:41
There are WWI veterans still alive!? :eek:About 4 each in Britain and Germany.
Laerod
17-12-2007, 17:43
......Oh, and I'm just talking about of European people....don't get me started on non-European immigration to Europe.:rolleyes:I agree. It's rather irritating having to read your trashy tirades again and again.
Imperio Mexicano
17-12-2007, 17:43
About 4 each in Britain and Germany.

Ah.
Ariddia
17-12-2007, 17:56
There are WWI veterans still alive!? :eek:

Only two in France.

A few years ago, the last WW1 veteran from France's North African colonial forces died. He was due to have received a long-overdue medal shortly thereafter. :( France owes a lot to North African, sub-Saharan African and other colonised peoples who fought for France, and for a long time was shamefully slow in recognising that debt.
Kryozerkia
17-12-2007, 17:58
There are WWI veterans still alive!? :eek:

We got at least one here in Canada. There were three earlier this year.
Imperio Mexicano
17-12-2007, 17:59
France owes a lot to North African, sub-Saharan African and other colonised peoples who fought for France, and for a long time was shamefully slow in recognising that debt.

So do the other countries which had former colonies.
Levee en masse
17-12-2007, 18:00
Only two in France.

A few years ago, the last WW1 veteran from France's North African colonial forces died. He was due to have received a long-overdue medal shortly thereafter. :( France owes a lot to North African, sub-Saharan African and other colonised peoples who fought for France, and for a long time was shamefully slow in recognising that debt.

Did you happen to watch Indigènes / Days of Glory?

It dealt with this matter. I'm not sure when it was released in Franced, but I think earlier this year or late last year.
Ariddia
17-12-2007, 18:04
Did you happen to watch Indigènes / Days of Glory?

It dealt with this matter. I'm not sure when it was released in Franced, but I think earlier this year or late last year.

I've heard of it. I haven't seen it yet.
Levee en masse
17-12-2007, 18:06
I've heard of it. I haven't seen it yet.

Not exactly essential viewing.

But it is very well made. And it is done from a perspective not commonly seen, which is interesting.
The Atlantian islands
17-12-2007, 19:19
I agree. It's rather irritating having to read your trashy tirades again and again.
Oh yes, it's much healthier to ignore the world's unpleasntries and sweap them under the rug then to deal with them, I agree. However, that does not mean it is the correct course of action.
Gravlen
17-12-2007, 20:46
Lazare Ponticelli has been praised on his 110th birthday. He was an Italian immigrant, and is one of the only two French World War One veterans still alive. The president of the Cité nationale de l'histoire de l'immigration has praised him for having been a model immigrant. (link (http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jueI08l7JQYwFuXM9-GNE9VwuBDg))

110? Not bad, considering the world's oldest living person is currently Edna Parker of the United States, who turned 114 in April. (Oldest and able to document it.)
Aryavartha
17-12-2007, 20:54
France owes a lot to North African, sub-Saharan African and other colonised peoples who fought for France, and for a long time was shamefully slow in recognising that debt.

IIRC, the French at least gave citizenship to the legionnaires unlike the British who are still exploiting the Gurkhas.

Recently read a story that Gurkha soldiers are fired a few years before retirement to avoid giving them benefits.
Ariddia
17-12-2007, 21:47
110? Not bad, considering the world's oldest living person is currently Edna Parker of the United States, who turned 114 in April. (Oldest and able to document it.)

Since yesterday (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7147254.stm), yes.


IIRC, the French at least gave citizenship to the legionnaires unlike the British who are still exploiting the Gurkhas.

Recently read a story that Gurkha soldiers are fired a few years before retirement to avoid giving them benefits.

Lovely. :(
Gravlen
17-12-2007, 22:02
Since yesterday (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7147254.stm), yes.

He doesn't count - he couldn't prove it, so he's just an old man! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/ad/old.gif

:p
The Archregimancy
17-12-2007, 23:15
Only two in France.


There's only one UK veteran of the Western Front trenches left; I'm not sure how many UK WWI veterans who may have served in other theatres still survive, though I know of one from the fleet air arm (one of the precursors of the RAF).

I do know that there are no Australian WWI veterans left; the last one died in the last couple of years.
The States of Eridani
17-12-2007, 23:21
what a legend
The States of Eridani
17-12-2007, 23:21
what a legend
The States of Eridani
17-12-2007, 23:21
what a legend