F�ves: Friendship to Kansas

In 1944, up to 80% of the village of F�ves was destroyed while being liberated. After the war, UNESCO appealed for help to the United States.

Morganville, an American town of Kansas, helped rebuild F�ves, devastated by war. Photo DR

In 1944, the fighting to liberate F�ves destroyed 80% of the village. After the war, UNESCO appealed to the United States, inviting towns and villages to adopt a similar sized city in Europe. The town of Morganville, Kansas, chose to help F�ves, near Metz. "Under the leadership of a woman, Velma Carson, raffles, cultural activities, and calls for donations were organized in this village of grain farmers. Shipments of clothing, necessities, milk powder, seed, and the sum of 1000 dollars were sent to F�votes," said the former deputy mayor G�rard Torlotting.

He was still wearing shorts at the time, but his uncle, a teacher, with the priest and the mayor, were the ones handling the assistance. In 1949, a US delegation was received in F�ves. Links are created, but then fade. In August 2013, an e-mail arrived in the F�ves town hall. Morganville has not forgotten! The message comes from a historian of the [county] of Clay, named Art Vaughan, and his wife, Gloria Freeland, an academic who had her students work on the history of F�ves and of the connection. G�rard Torlotting [does not] speak English, [but] his son lives in the United States. An idea - a little crazy - germinates in G�rard's head. Why not strengthen thje links and organize a trip to Morganville with F�votes who are interested? The decision was made in January 2014.

To finance part of the journey, G�rard Torlotting had another idea: revive the association "Living Well with F�ves," chaired by Francis Pracht. Meals-and-wine dinners collected some money. The municipality also awarded a grant. The rest was provided by sponsors and travel participants. Twenty people went to Morganville, in early September. They had the opportunity to visit the East Coast and New York. The reception was beautiful in Kansas thanks to the organizers. On October 30, a reception will be organized by the club "Living Well with F�ves" to tell of the trip. A DVD, subtitled in French, directed by Art Vaughan, will be free. And G�rard Torlotting has not abandoned the idea to one day make Morganville and F�ves "sister cities"


French original below