Penobscot elder receives France’s highest honor

WASHINGTON – Charles Shay gently wiped tears from his eyes Tuesday afternoon when Nicolas Sarkozy, the president of France, finished his speech honoring seven World War II veterans who received France’s highest civil and military tribute, the Legion of Honor medal.

Shay, a member of the Penobscot Nation who lives on Indian Island, served in both World War II and the Korean War. He traveled to Washington on Monday to take part in the prestigious ceremony.

“This is the pinnacle of my life and I want to share it with my people,” Shay said after the event.

Sarkozy gave a 10-minute speech to a crowded room in the residence of the French ambassador, mentioning specific exploits of each veteran.

“I want to tell you today my deep admiration and express to you the profound gratitude of France and all of its people to you,” Sarkozy said through a translator. “Charles Shay, you were in the 1st Infantry and you were in the first wave to land on Omaha Beach, and several of your comrades were wounded, and you pulled them out of the water; you saved your comrades, despite the imminent danger.”

Sarkozy said he wanted to pay a “special tribute” to the Penobscot Nation.

“You are a direct descendant of Chief Joseph Orono, who was an ally of George Washington during the independence war,” Sarkozy said. “You are also the grandson of the French Jean-Vincent d’Abadie, Baron of Saint-Castin. And thus, the links that tie you to France hark back until the 17th century. In fact, you’ve been a Frenchman for far longer than I.”

The French president then pinned the medals onto each veteran and embraced them individually.

“I don’t think I was prepared for how moving that would be for me as Charlie’s chief,” Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Francis said in an interview after the ceremony. “I just don’t feel deserving to be in that role.”

Francis said Shay is a “tremendous contributor” in the tribe, working as an elder advocate and generally supporting his people.

“We received calls all day long, ‘How’s Charlie doing?’ It’s really been a morale boost for our tribe and we’re really glad that he got this. It is well-deserved,” Francis said. “We have a long history and a long relationship with France, so it makes this extra special.”

Shay was clearly a star of the ceremony, commanding not only Sarkozy’s attention, but also that of the French news media. The 83-year-old was ushered around the room for interviews after the president’s remarks.

“It was very emotional for me,” Shay said with tears still moistening his eyes. “I am very proud to receive this award and to have it pinned on me by one of the leaders of the world today. I feel that much closer to the president of the Republic of France.”

Earlier Tuesday, Shay and Chief Francis met with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, in her office.

Collins thanked Shay for all he had done for his country.

“All I did was the job I was trained to do, like thousands of others,” Shay said.

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, later released a statement paying tribute to Shay.

“The valor Charlie demonstrated at Omaha Beach truly reflects the time-honored merits engendered by the distinguished and venerable Legion of Honor,” Snowe said. “We owe Charlie an enduring debt of gratitude for so nobly and heroically representing the very best of our state and our nation.”

Shay is a past recipient of a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars for valor during the D-Day invasion.