The dubbed hero of the backpack, a citizen who a few weeks ago tried to prevent a knife attack in a playground in Annecy, on the border with Switzerland; journalist Arman Soldin, who died in May while covering the war in Ukraine; Former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin…
France has honored this Friday, the day of the National Holiday, its heroes, a total of 358 people who have carried out a remarkable work for the country, who have been awarded the Legion of Honor that “recognizes the merit of those who invest in their citizens and are the pride of France”, in the words of François Lecointre, Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honor.
There are two civil promotions, the one for January and the one that is published in the official gazette on July 14, on the occasion of the National Holiday. In addition there are two other soldiers. Posthumously, this award was given to Arman Soldin, a journalist for the AFP agency who covered the war in Ukraine and who died on May 9 in a Russian attack near the city of Bakhmut. He was 32 years old. He has been awarded the rank of knight.
The heroes of Annecy, the three citizens who tried to prevent a knife attack a month and a half ago in a children’s playground in the alpine town, on the border with Switzerland, have also received this distinction. One of them, who has become more popular in the media, is Henri d’Anselme. The young man was making a pilgrimage to the cathedrals of France and was in the park at the time of the attack.
He tried on several occasions to stop the attacker, using his backpack as a weapon, for which he was nicknamed “the hero of the backpack”. Two other citizens who tried to intervene have also been distinguished. French President Emmanuel Macron already thanked these citizens for their courage at the time. Today they become part of this select club of heroes and servants of the country.
The Legion of Honor has been awarded to 358 people from all walks of life, from healthcare, industry, sports or politics. It is one of the highest distinctions awarded by France, created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and has 79,000 members, all recognized for their service to the country.
In this promotion, 296 knights and 43 officers have been recognized. In addition to those mentioned, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has been awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor.
According to the criteria of The Trust Project
