The ceremony began with a fanfare by the trumpeters. As the last notes came tumbling back from the hills Pétain moved forward. We found that he was not so tall as Pershing nor quite as straight. The French leader is also a little gray and about his waist there is just a suggestion of the white man's burden. But he is soldierly for all that and his eyes are marvelously keen and steady. His tailor deserved a decoration. The general wore only one medal, but that was as large as the badge of a country sheriff. It was a great silver shield hung about his neck and indicated that he was a commander of the Legion of Honor. He stopped in front of the first officer in the little line waiting to be honored and spoke to him for a moment. Then he pinned a red ribbon on his coat and kissed the man first on the left cheek and then on the right. The doughboys looked on in amazement.
"Well, I'll be damned," said one under his breath, "it's true."
Four men received the red ribbons, but the other three were down only for the military medal which is a high decoration but less esteemed than the Legion of Honor. No kisses went with the green and yellow ribbons of the military medal but only handshakes. Pétain stopped in front of the old sergeant at the end of the line and looked at him for a minute without speaking. Then he called an orderly.
"This man has three palms on his croix de guerre," said Pétain.
Now a palm means that soldier has been cited for conspicuous bravery in the report of the entire army.
"The military medal is not enough for this man," continued Pétain. "Step forward," he said.
The old sergeant trembled a little as he stood a tiny, solitary gray figure in front of the whole division.
"Bring back the trumpets," Pétain commanded and for the lone poilu the fanfare was sounded again.
"I make you a chevalier of the Legion of Honor," said the commander in chief of the French army to the old sergeant, and after he had pinned the red ribbon to his breast he added a hug to the conventional two kisses. The poilu moved back to the ranks steadily, but as soon as the general had turned his back the sergeant pulled out his handkerchief and wept. The soldiers greeted their comrade with cheers and laughter.
"Now," said Pétain turning to Pershing, "let's take it easy for a little while. I've seen plenty of reviews."