LYNN – The city was given another example of the U.S.-French common legacy and shared history Friday with the unveiling of the Lafayette Trail Marker at the corner of Market Square and Western Avenue.
“The marker shows how the two countries are close; it commemorates their shared struggle for liberty,” said Julien Icher, president at the Lafayette Trail Inc.
The trail marker will serve as a reminder to Lynn residents of how France was instrumental for American independence. Icher said. France was the first country to support the American struggle for liberty, and for that end it was called the oldest American ally, he said.
For the U.S. and its citizens, this mark is a reminder of how the foundations of the country were established, said Icher, adding that the Americans, in turn, helped France during both World Wars.
Mayor Jared Nicholson, who spoke at the unveiling ceremony, said that Lafayette meant a lot to the U.S., and not just in the war, but in the formation of “who we were,” as the mayor put it. He said that France remained the country that shared the U.S. commitment to democracy and freedom.
“Especially in this moment now we think about international collaboration, a commitment to worldwide idea of liberty and equality, and someone like Lafayette answering the call, crossing the ocean to a new country that was fighting for freedom – what a brave decision, what a tremendous piece of leadership that we are still talking about centuries later,” said Nicholson.
According to him, the parts of the history that the city chooses to honor are the reflection of the values and priorities of today and honoring the contribution of Lafayette to “the history of the country we are today is incredible fitting.”
Joseph Scanlon, president of Lynn Museum and Historical Society, said that the marker was installed at the place of the Lynn hotel where Lafayette stopped on Aug. 31, 1824. Another American hero, George Washington, stopped at the same place. Scanlon said Lafayette was known for his close association with Washington.
Zachary Perry, Lynn resident, dressed as Lafayette, gave a speech on behalf of the prominent historical figure “to remind everyone why this is so special.” According to the speech, in the times of Lafayette’s life it was not “written in stone” that the U.S. would win the war.
“America was then still very much an experiment. America today is still very much an experiment. This is something we have to fight to keep,” said Perry.
The event was also attended by City Councilors Richard Starbard and Coco Alinsug, Steven Babbitt, past president of the Lynn Museum; Wendy Joseph, curator of the Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum (GAR), and Sean Reid from state Sen. Brendan Crighton’s office.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were present too, because “part of the three tenants of the DAR is historical preservation, education, and patriotism, and this embodies all three of what the DAR stands for,” said Charlotte Line Saugus Chapter regent.
“We celebrate it as often as we can,” said Susan Gerow.
The Lafayette Trail Inc. honors the visit of Marquis de Lafayette, known as Lafayette, to the U.S. in 1824 by installing the trail markers and posting on social media, and through the YouTube series Follow the Frenchman.
All in all, according to Icher, they have installed over 95 markers around the country in more than 18 of the 24 states that Lafayette visited, and six of them are in Massachusetts – Pittsfield, Chatham, Chelsea, and Lexington.
“This is just one more, and there is really a great vibe here, it’s terrific,” said Icher.
Oksana Kotkina can be reached at [email protected].
