French, American families maintain a connection that began in a Normandy refugee camp.
A relationship that began between an American sailor and a group of motherless children in a Normandy refugee camp in 1944 has continued to the present day among their descendants. And in early June, the French family visited New England for a stay that included a welcome from a local American Legion post.
Karine Louis lives in Normandy today. She says that in June 1944, among the Americans who landed on Utah Beach was Seabee Pvt. Maurice Dore of Massachusetts; her family was living in nearby Audouville-la-Hubert. After her great-grandmother was struck and killed by a bomb, her grandmother and her brothers and sisters – their father was a POW in Germany – were taken in by an aunt and the group spent time in a refugee camp, where they met Dore. In her words: “the soldier was touched by the children’s story and took them under his wing,” bringing them food and supplies.
The family never forgot the kindness – or the name – of Dore, who had enlisted in the Navy at 20 in September 1942. On D-Day, according to Karine, he worked with the Rhino ferries. In December 2018 she reached out to Dore, who had returned to Massachusetts, to attend D-Day ceremonies in June 2019 as their guest – only to be told after the fact by his son, also named Maurice, that he had died that January.
Nate Dore of Westport, Mass., says his parents, aunt and uncle did visit France that June, however, and stayed with the family. They visited Utah Beach – 2019 was the 75th anniversary of the invasion – toured the area and were welcome guests. More relatives, including Nate, visited in 2023 and maintained the connection. And then it was time for Karine and her family to make the trip to the United States. A fundraising effort was launched that involved everyone from the local BayCoast Bank – President/CEO Nick Christ donated $5,000 – and VFW to James Morris American Legion Post 145. Karine and her family stayed for a week at the beginning of June and participated in a wide range of activities – they visited ships, forts, Boston and more, as well as a June 6 D-Day anniversary breakfast/ceremony and goodbye party on June 7. “We had an incredible week; we were welcomed like kings,” Karine says. “Maurice did an incredible job. We didn't imagine being received like this and don't know how to thank him for all the work he has done. His family and friends gave us a wonderful welcome. They are all extraordinary.”
“We had an amazing week,” Nate echoes, “with much credit going to the Westport American Legion members.” At the June 6 breakfast, Maurice told his father’s story, followed by Karine telling her family’s and offering their thanks for everyone’s assistance getting them there. She presented a flag from Utah Beach to the post and distributed a book she wrote for her children about the families’ connection over the decades. For his part, former Post 145 Commander Tony Vieira expressed to Nate the Legion’s commitment to “highlight your grandfather’s story and the impact servicemen sometimes have on others that many Americans don’t realize. Your family story is an inspirational example for all of us.”
- Honor & Remembrance