by Laurel | November 21st, 2011
21 November 1921
Tells Miss Skinner and Messrs Savoy and Bagg He Will Do So if Possible
Marshal Ferdinand Foch
Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France today received Miss Belle Skinner, George A. Savoy, Aaron Bagg and Miss Betty Kilborne, Miss Skinner’s niece, all of this city, at the home of De Lancy Kountze in New York City. The local party was with Marshal Foch for about half an hour and during the course of this time he asked Miss Skinner to extend to Holyoke on behalf of France, gratitude for the work which the people of this city have done and are doing for that country. He spoke highly of the school children of this Holyoke, who during the war saved their pennies that they might be sent to France to aid the children there.
Mr. Savoy returned from New York tonight and said that Marshal Foch is a most remarkable man. His greeting to the local party was most cordial, and the time spent with France’s leading soldier was greatly enjoyed. Mr. Savoy said that there still remains a remote possibility that Marshal Foch may visit this city. He was acquainted with the fact that the people of Holyoke are desirous of this coming here, and he expressed the opinion that if such a thing is possible that he will come.
Betty Kilborne, on behalf of the children of this city, presented Marshal Foch with a bouquet of flowers. It was after the presentation of the flowers that Marshal Foch personally thanked the school children of Holyoke for saving their pennies for the children of France.
The local party went to New york for the purpose of personally inviting Marshal Foch to this city. Miss Skinner at the present time is having the village of Hatton-Chatel rebuilt in France, and Mr. Savoy and Mr. Bagg are members of the French committee for the rebuilding of Apremont, the French village which was adopted by Holyoke.
Sources include The Springfield Republican and Wikipedia (public domain image of Marshal Ferdinand Foch). Wikipedia offers much more information on Marshal Ferdinand Foch.
