I was in a bad relationship for a long time. When I finally broke free, I fled to Paris. I checked into one of my favorite hotels, le Meurice, near the Louvre museum on Rue Rivoli. During WWII, the hotel was requisitioned as headquarters for the Nazi general staff. At the end of the war, Hitler ordered Paris leveled. The Eiffel Tower, the monuments, the Louvre, all the bridges, and the great hotels, etc. were wired with charges to be blown just before the retreat. One night, as the hour drew near, a Swedish diplomat went to the top floor of le Meurice to see General Von Choltitz. He asked the Nazi general if he wanted to be remembered as the man who destroyed Paris, or the man who saved Paris. By appealing to the Germans vanity that night, Sweden did what no vast army could do. And saved the City of Light. Long after the war, Von Cholitz, a man of conscience, was awarded the French Legion dHonneur. The first night there, I went down to the lobby bar and ordered a cocktail as to toast my newly won freedom...and General Von Cholitz.
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 12:14:02 +0000
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