| Tech represented at French ceremony honoring Sgt. York | ||
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What does the Argonne Forest region of northern France have in common with Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau? The two areas are linked by the World War I heroics of Sgt. Alvin C. York, a native of Fentress County’s Pall Mall community whose marksmanship helped him and his Company G of the 328th Infantry, 82nd Division, kill 25 German enemy troops and capture 132 more in the 1918 battle of Meuse-Argonne. Tech historian Michael Birdwell and Middle Tennessee State University geographer Tom Nolan announced last year their finding of what they believe to be the exact location near the French village of Chatel-Chehery where those heroics took place. |
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•News Tech launches new marketing campaign Bettoli and Ting share Caplenor Research Award Two grants total $2.6 million for STEM education, research Tech represented at French ceremony honoring Sgt. York Record enrollment breaks 10,000 mark More national recognition for Tech Electric car drives TTU’s launch to green power Clarksville plant reaps benefits of energy workshops |
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Last fall, Tennessee representatives — including Tech President Bob Bell — traveled to the region for a ceremony that recognizes Pall Mall and Chatel- Chehery as sister villages linked by that history. “Both Pall Mall and Chatel-Chehery played crucial roles in forging the character of a hero they can proudly call their own,” says a proclamation approved by the Tennessee General Assembly, signed by Gov. Phil Bredesen and presented by Bell at the celebration. According to an account by Jim Tanner in the Oct. 7 issue of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, many residents of the small village — whose population numbers fewer than 200 — turned out for the Saturday morning celebration, which was held on the steps of the town hall, in front of a stone monument and plaque honoring Sgt. York. The scene was decorated with both French and American flags, and the ceremony included the national anthems of each country, said Tanner’s report. |
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