This past year, it seems as if we have been part of a marathon: a long-distance running race. With the vaccine in sight, we feel that we are almost there, yet the hardest part is always the last mile.
In this marathon, the Comité Tricolore is working to be a support team, adapting to the pace of the runners and their needs. Now more than ever, French-American friendship has been and is crucial in giving us the mutual strength to come out winners ….
- The Solidarity France Covid-19 project
- The Ch’tis - Maryland & Hauts de France State to State sister program
- Did you Know? The role of the Conseillers des Français de l’Etranger
- Arlington, ASCA and the Marine Corps Marathon
- In the News
- Get ready for Valentine’s Day
La Casa: The Solidarity France Covid-19 project
During the pandemic, the French Embassy, in partnership with the CT, has developed a program to help French restaurants by buying meals from them to deliver to La Casa, one of Friendship Place’s homes for single men who would otherwise live in the street.
Our special thanks to Cuisine Solutions who is donating meals for the first two weeks of the program.
The program has been a great success and we have decided to start it again, as the need is still there during these “last miles” of the winter months.
Seven restaurants will each provide meals for the 50 residents over the next seven weeks.
Feb 4 - Cuisine Solutions/ Résidence de France
Feb 11 - Cuisine Solutions
Feb 18 - Del Ray Café
Feb 25 - La Chaumiere
March 4 - La Piquette
March 11 - Lebanese Taverna
March 18 - 2941 restaurant
On January 27th, as part of the ’Déjeuners du Mercredi’ organized by the French Speaking Protestant Church, Jean-Michel Giraud, CEO of Friendship Place, presented the work that his organization is doing to help those in need in our area: from homeless men in the streets to poor working families who cannot afford decent housing.
L’Amicale des Hauts de France and Maryland - Hauts de France State to State sister program
Our member l’Amicale des Hauts de France, aka Les Ch’tis, was created in 2007 to bring together residents of the Washington area who come from the North of France. On February 3rd Les Cht’is hosted a virtual meeting to give a presentation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Hauts- de-France and Maryland.
During ceremonies at French Ambassador Philippe Etienne’s residence in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Embassy in Paris, Governor Larry Hogan and President Xavier Bertrand of the Hauts-de-France signed a Sister State memorandum of understanding on December 2, 2020 to update the original agreement signed in 1981 after a reorganization of the French regions.
Also present were Maryland Secretary of State John Wobensmith and Mr. François Penguilly, the Consul General of France in Washington. The signing ceremony in Paris at the residence of the United States Ambassador Jamie McCourt was attended by President Bertrand and François Decoster, Mayor of St. Omer.
Bilateral efforts were already underway between Maryland and Hauts-de-France’s life sciences and equine industries, as well as educational exchanges.
In his remarks Secretary Wobensmith said “We are very proud of what the Maryland Sister States Program has accomplished over the past six years. All of the international work that brings education, culture, business, health and environmental exchange to Maryland would not be possible without the dedication of the volunteers, and the State of Maryland is incredibly thankful”.
The role and the support of the Conseillers des Français de l’Etranger
Next May, French citizens living abroad will be called upon to elect their local representatives: Les Conseillers des Francais de l’Etranger - advisers to the French living abroad.
In their function as local elected representatives they represent, inform, support their French compatriots, seek opinions, and listen to the difficulties they encounter. As such, they take part in consular councils dedicated to social assistance, educational assistance, associative organizations and ensure that they have the means to fulfill their mission.
They are the institutional link with the embassy and the consulate, and in France with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Parliament . As members of the Assembly of French Abroad (AFE) they participate on committees that advise the government on policy issues.
As the ’grands electeurs’ of the senators representing the French abroad they are the best informed to present legislative proposals on issues concerning them.
To vote you need to be registered on the ’Liste Electorale Consulaire"
In total there are around 450 advisers for French people living abroad based on the population of French citizens living outside France.
They are elected by popular vote for 6 year terms.
Pour plus d’information concernant le role des Conseillers.
Pour prendre contact avec vos Conseillers.
Pour vous inscrire sur la Liste Electorale Consulaire
Arlington, ASCA and the Marine Corps Marathon.
In October 2016, two visitors from Reims arrived with the support of our member Arlington-Reims committee of the Arlington Sister City association. Philippe Remen came to run in the Marine Corps Marathon and Lydie Gosselet, who belongs to the same athletic club in Reims, came along to give him moral support.
Ranked as one of the largest marathons in the US and the world, the MCM has been recognized as "Best Marathon in the Mid-Atlantic," "Best for Families" and "Best for Beginners." Runners from all 50 states and more than 50 countries participate in the Marathon, which is organized by the men and women of the United States Marine Corps.
It was Philippe Remen’s first participation in this marathon and the association made it possible for him to not only participate in this marathon for the first time, but also to meet as many fellow American runners as possible.
Last October the marathon was cancelled but the 45th Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is expected to take place on Sunday October 31, 2021 in Arlington, VA and throughout the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C.
In the News
An interview of Hughes Cossard
This link will take you directly to Rene Malai’s article in the Prince William Living magazine ”Lifelong Learning – Eat, Drink and Learn” and the interview of Hugues Cossard who manages the Comité Tricolore’s “Réseau des Métiers de Bouche”.
Hugues, Chief Culinary Instructor at Stafford University, gives classes geared towards those who want to pursue a career in the gastronomy and hospitality fields.
Get ready for Valentine’s Day!
Last but not least, Valentine’s Day is around the corner but you still have time for:
#1 - The Gift
Tell Her/Him: "I Love my Chef"
with a beautiful kitchen towel/napkin available at:
https://gtlinens.com/retail/i-love-my-chef-napkin-100-cotton-1
As part of Garnier-Thiebaut USA’s charitable activities, it benefits the Comité Tricolore, the restaurants...and of course your loved one!
#2 - The Dinner
Most of our French restaurants are preparing a special menu for the occasion. Follow us on Facebook to find out which have delivery and/or carry-out alternatives.
#3 - AmazonSmile
Did you know that you can generate donations while shopping for your valentine, at no extra cost?
Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/52-2095542 to confirm "Tricolore Committee" as your charity of choice, and AmazonSmile will donate a portion of your eligible purchase price to our organization.
