MAKING DEMOCRACY LIVE
“One of the great things about Americans is the way so many people go out and work at the job of making democracy live. When they see democracy slipping abroad or at home, they chip in without waiting for leadership up above and do their bit.”
Drew PEARSON, Father of the Friendship Train (1947-1948) & Secretary of the National Friendship Train Committee To Welcome The French Train of Gratitude (1948-1949), Washington Merry-Go-Round March 20, 1948
The « Train de la Reconnaissance Française » aka the « Merci Train » (1949).
#GRATITUDE
#RESISTANCE
#FREEDOMOFTHEPRESS
#MDFDEFriendshipMerciTrain75
© The Official French-American Project entirely conceived by Ms. Elisabeth JENSSEN to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the “Merci Train” (1949-2024/2025). All rights reserved.
Chair, Elisabeth Jenssen
Honorary President: The Comte Gilbert de Pusy La Fayette
Contact: elisabeth.jenssen@francaisdeletranger.org
FIRED UP, READY TO GO DEMOCRACY WARRIORS?
30 DAYS FOR US TO GO… BLUE ALL THE WAY!!!
Robert De Niro Hosts Team Justice NYC Happy Hour; Speeches by Several Democracy Warriors
New York City, Jan. 13, 2024: Acting legend Robert De Niro has opted to become an advocate and activist for the rule of law, for decency, integrity, and ethics in government, and for American democracy. He graciously offered to host our Team Justice New York City happy hour. This Team Justice event featured a group of individuals who are fighting each and every day to promote allegiance to the rule of law and to preserve and protect American democracy from a self-described “day-one-dictator.”
Glenn Kirschner, former 30-year federal prosecutor, Legal Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC.
Unite for America Rally with Vice President Kamala Harris and Oprah Winfrey
FROM OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — THE BAY AREA — BIRTHPLACE OF VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS
1947: FIRST CAME THE AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP TRAIN …
Oakland, Calif. November 9, 1947: The “Friendship Train,” nearly doubled in size in the 36 hours since it started its journey in Glendale, Southern California, leaves the Southern Pacific’s First and Broadway station in Oakland, Northern California, on its 11-day mercy mission across the nation, adding car after car en route to collect food to help the hungry of France and Italy.
1949 – 2024
1949: THEN CAME THE FRENCH MERCI TRAIN …
Oakland, Calif., February 21, 1949: Led by Gov. Earl Warren expressing California’s thanks for the “French Gratitude” aka the “Merci Train,” fifty thousand overjoyed Oaklanders gathered near the WWI SNCF “40 & 8” boxcar as it pulled in front of the Hotel Leamington at 1814 Franklin Street (today an office bldg) in downtown Oakland, Northern California. Collection Clive Lamming. All rights reserved.
Dear Madam Vice-President Kamala Harris,
Dear Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff,
ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024, a day that will forever hold a very special place in American History, President Joe BIDEN, in an act of supreme and selfless patriotism — the most brilliant strategic move our Founding Fathers for sure would have lauded with an immense pride — ended his reelection bid for the presidency of the United States of America, by endorsing you, Madam Vice President Kamala HARRIS, to succeed him, thus passing the baton, the torch of democracy to you and the next generation.
Needless to say, in New York City, our beloved LADY LIBERTY, France’s FIRST and most illustrative gift of eternal gratitude to the United States, the most universally known spiritual symbol of enlightenment inspiring immigrants — including the Haitian community of Springfield, Ohio, whom we warmly embrace — reaching our shores since 1886… and turning 138 year-old this month (October 28), has never stopped smiling since President Biden’s announcement, cheering on you for VICTORY as we all do, Madam Vice President and Gov. WALZ …
And so, because we strongly believe in YOU, Madam Vice President, in your capacity to lead us in defeating the rising tide of authoritarianism and oligarchy nationwide and abroad, We, the People of the United States, have ever witnessed in our lifetime… Chaos and constant lies brought by people with no American values, who obviously didn’t learn anything from past world History… Cheaters who don’t get how, starting with D-DAY 80 years ago this year, the United States and our Allies liberated France and western Europe from Nazi Germany just because We, the People, will NEVER allow fascism to win…
In a show of French-American Friendship (since 1778 and going…), of sisterhood if you will… As an immigrant, a French and American citizen from the Bay Area who so proudly voted for you to be our AG (two terms), then our California Senator, then Vice President under the leadership of President Biden and finally casted her vote for you via mail yesterday, Madam Vice President, as our next President of the United States of America — the FIRST woman — because, “We, the People, are NOT going back!”
And just because you always bring so much joy, so much “joie de vivre,” grace and intelligence into your campaigns and civic actions, as part of our on-going French-American cultural and cinematographic projects #MDFDEFriendshipMerciTrain75, celebrating this year the 75th Anniversary of the “Merci Train” — the SECOND most significant gift to date from the People of France to the People of the United States as their direct response and symbolic gesture of gratitude for the Friendship Train.
I would firstly like to share with you, Madam Vice President, the “daughter of Oakland,” and Second Gentleman Doug EMHOFF, this precious 75-year old picture of the “Merci Train,” one of the 49 WWI SNCF “40 and 8” boxcars filled to the top with French gifts for the People of California, in downtown Oakland in Feb. 1949 (see pic. above).
A “Friendship Train” For Ukraine
Washington D.C., September 27, 2024: Vice President Kamala Harris met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
So, ONWARD TO VICTORY, dear Madam VP Kamala HARRIS and Second Gentleman Doug EMHOFF, Governor Tim WALZ and Mrs. Gwen WALZ, First Lady of Minnesota!
With my kindest regards and best wishes of success,
Elisabeth Jenssen Founder & President
Friends of Laperouse USA
Chair, #MDFDEFriendshipMerciTrain75
Le Mouvement des Français de l’Étranger (MDFDE) French and Francophones Abroad
Liaison of the American Legion (USA-Europe) for the Friendship Train and the Merci Train
Proud member of #TeamJustice — founded by Glenn Kirschner #JusticeMatters — from Day One.
Related Links:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/vice-president-harris/
GLENN KIRSCHNER
Justice Matters (glennkirschner.com)
Robert De NIRO’s restaurant LOCANDA VERDE in TriBeCa, NYC.
https://www.locandaverdenyc.com/
MDFDE/USA: WWII: Here Is To YOU Drew & Luvie PEARSON! #MDFDEFriendshipMerciTrain70