It’s me again. Please help us succeed and excel in this project!

World War II veterans are a fast disappearing group. The French Consul General Philippe Ardanaz will present beautiful certificates of appreciation to U.S. veterans who participated in the Normandy Invasion or who served in or above France during World War II or to surviving family members on May 2, 2007 at USM Hattiesburg.

If the veteran or family member cannot attend the ceremony, the certificates can be mailed. Time is growing short, so please help us spread the word.

If you have a family member, living or deceased, meeting these prerequisites, please urge them to or do it yourself. File out an application and mail it to: Mr. Keltoum S. Rowland, French Instructor, USM, 111 Bellmont Drive, Hattiesburg, MS 39402, (601) 297-7210, or “e” Keltoum.Rowland@usm.edu.

A certificate application can be printed off the Consulate web site: www.consulfrance-atlanta.org.

In the meantime, applications can be obtained at the Adams County Veterans Service Office at 115 South Pearl Street, Natchez (The Council Chambers Building). Please call (601) 445-8706 for an appointment.

Erle Drane is the Adams County Veterans Service officer.