Rochester Veteran honored with French medal
By: WROC-TV
Updated: March 17, 2008
85 year old Samuel Rosella received the honor of a lifetime Sunday. The Chevalier Legion of Honor medal was given to him by the French government.
Rosella served in the 82nd Airbone in WWII, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.
"I'm unbelievebly honored to have him as a father," said Samuel's son Vincent. "To be in the presence of somebody who has gone through that what he did for this country. If he and the other men like him hadn't done what they had done we would probably be speaking German right now."
Congresswomen Louise Slaughter presented Rosella with the medal.
"It's the greatest honor the french government can bestow upon anyone," said Slaughter. "Citizen of france, citizen of the world. You have done us a great service."
Although Rosella was honored alone, he remembered his fellow veterans.
"I'm very honored that these veterans came here today, my buddies are here today and I feel very sad about the ones that have to fight today because they are in worse situations thanI was ever in and my heart goes out to them," said Samuel Rosella. "I thank all my buddies from the 82nd airborne, the American Legion, and the Battle of the Bulge and the VFW."
