A Monumental Day in Metz

Sept. 1, 2020

After World War I, the Knights memorialized the bonds of fraternity forged between the United States and France

By Andrew J. Matt

Sept. 1, 2020

Marshal Ferdinand Foch, supreme Allied commander during World War I, stands with Supreme Knight James Flaherty at the dedication of a statue of the Marquis de Lafayette in Metz, France, Aug. 21, 1920. The statue was a gift from the Order to France; a gold baton (visible in Foch’s hand) was given to the marshal, who a year later became an honorary member of the Knights. (Knights of Columbus Multimedia Archives)

The Knights’ 1920 pilgrimage to Rome was preceded by a pilgrimage to France, where the Order had served thousands of troops during the First World War through its Army huts program.

The K of C delegation arrived in the city of Metz, in the Lorraine region of northeast France, on Aug. 20. The next day, Supreme Knight James Flaherty presented two symbolic gifts of unity in commemoration of the Allied victory in the war — to the country, a statue of the Marquis de Lafayette, and to Marshal Ferdinand Foch, supreme commander of the Allied forces, a ceremonial gold baton.

Metz held special significance for Lafayette, who trained there as a soldier before joining the American Revolution in 1775. Foch also had ties to Metz, having gone to school there before it was annexed by Germany in 1871. Before the city was returned to France at the end of the First World War, Foch replied to a letter of support from Supreme Knight Flaherty.

“I am deeply touched by the attention of the Knights of Columbus,” Foch wrote. “It was from Metz that Lafayette went to help your ancestors, and we shall one day see your victorious banner floating over Metz.”

His words proved prophetic, as the victorious marshal presented the city to the French president on Dec. 8, 1918, with U.S. Gen. John Pershing at his side and the American and French flags flying overhead.

When the Knights presented their gifts in Metz on Aug. 21, 1920, the two flags waved again. Immense crowds, including 5,000 French troops and 3,000 children in traditional garb, thronged the streets. Airplanes flew overhead as people cheered, “Vive l’Amerique! Vive les Chevaliers de Colomb!”

After a solemn Requiem Mass for the war dead in the Metz Cathedral, Marshal Foch marched with the Knights to the square where the new statue of Lafayette stood shrouded. In the presence of bishops and other dignitaries, Supreme Knight Flaherty unveiled the 18-foottall bronze sculpture depicting Lafayette on horseback, as schoolgirls scattered flowers at its base.

“Lafayette is both of France and America,” Supreme Knight Flaherty said in his ceremonial address. “Let this statue be a symbol of 145 years of unbroken bonds of friendship.”

He then presented the gold baton to Foch, describing him as an ideal Christian soldier.

Foch embraced the supreme knight and said, “America and France have long fought for liberty and they will continue to protect liberty throughout the world. Knights of Columbus: You have performed a service for both France and America of benefit to all future generations, and you have stirred the heart of the French people as they have never been stirred before.”

A year later, during Foch’s visit to United States, the Knights officially made the marshal, renowned for his deep faith as well as his military leadership, an honorary member.

The Order formally expanded to France in 2015 and, having grown to 23 councils, the jurisdiction was recently declared a territory by the Knights of Columbus Board of Directors.

*****

ANDREW J. MATT is managing editor of Columbia and a member of Father Kuster Council 3037 in Chester, Conn.

A Holy Names sister instructs students at St. Mary’s Academy & College in Portland, Ore., circa 1915.

A Monumental Day in Metz

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