Denison Herald June 23, 1946 BELGIAN GIRL JOINS HUSBAND HERE, FINDS DENISON FRIENDLY By Joyce Vanston Happy that her three-months-old son will be reared in America, a Belgian girl who recalls too vividly many of the horrors of World War II arrived at Denison last week to make her home with her GI-husband, Gene Legg. For the present they are residing with his mother, Mrs. B. Legg, 500 West Woodard, but plan to occupy their new home at 1600 West Walker early next week. Loucretia Grand-Jean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Grand-jean, was married to Mr. Legg in Leige, Belgium in May 1965, following a necessary appearance before the Prince-Regent of Belgium for approval. The couple first met in October 1944, when American troop liberated Leige, her home town. FATHER A PRISONER Her father, as adjuntant to the Belgian army, was taken prisoner during the German occupation, but was allowed to remain in Leige with his wife, daughter and young son. Lucretia has learned to hate the Germans, not only as a conquered people intuitively might, but direct contact with them as she worked in a factory during the war years. There's no compromise in her abiding dislike for anything suggestive of the hated Nazis. After her arrival in Denison, Mrs. Legg dining in a local restaurant when a soldier entered, and as an ironical jest, gave the Nazi salute with the uplifting of his straightened arm. It was no joke, however, with Mrs. Legg whose home was destroyed when 39 buzz bombs hit in her one night, and all the hate and fear instilled by those experiences rose again at the sign of the Denison soldier's playful antic. LIKES AMERICA She likes America, she likes Texas, she likes Denison - and is anxious to learn more about her new home. The thing that has impressed her most, however, is the exuberant friendliness of the people as she has come in contact with in her brief stay here. She states that, however, the other than the pressing food situation in her native country, necessities are just as plentiful, that styles in furniture and clothes are just as equally as modern in Begium as here in America. Much later, perhaps, says Mrs. Legg, she may return to Belgium for a visit but plans to have her mother come here soon in order that she might learn of her daughter's new way of life. According to Mrs. Legg, the customs, habits and life of Belgium are quite close to those of America. Therefore the change is not abrupt as it might seem and only the difference in the two languages will retard her progress toward the adoption of her new country. BOTH SPEAK FRENCH A member of the occupational forces for the First and Third Armies, Mr. Legg is the holder of five combat stars, the Presidential citation, the meritious unit award,, and the World War Victory Medal. He returned to the United States in December when he received his discharge. Mrs. Legg speaks from 25 to 40 per cent English, while Mr. Legg has a working vocabulary of about 40 per cent French, the universal language of Belgium, causing a little difficulty in communication between the two. But she is eagerly picking up every English word, and given a little time, will be a rapid speaking American.  Ethnic Research Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
