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MARIGOT--Territorial Council First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell was the latest recipient of the Knight of the National Order of Merit medal at a ceremony held in his honour at the Chamber of Commerce, Concordia, Thursday evening.
As has been customary at these ceremonies, a number of speeches were made before the award was bestowed upon Guillaume Arnell by Préfet Philippe Chopin.
President of the Association of the National Order of Merit in St. Martin, Rose Nicolas, first gave an overview of the origins of the French national decoration, its purpose, and to whom it is given.
Director of Human Resources for the Collectivité Vernon Roper, a close personal friend of Guillaume, made a speech recalling their childhood days and the very strong friendship they forged in their beloved village of French Quarter, their birth place.
Guillaume's sister Marie-Lyne Richardson made a beautiful speech about her brother, the family Arnell and its devotion to the community, mostly with social actions in their own village.
Finally Préfet Chopin, before pinning the decoration on Guillaume, highlighted his human qualities, the personal involvement in his island's development, and his distinguished political career and spirit. The Préfet also talked on the meaning of this important distinction of the French Republic.
Arnell was very touched by the tributes and made a warm speech to thank his family, wife and children, mother, friends and his village of French Quarter for helping him through the good and bad moments of his life.
He said he was very proud to be recognized by the French Republic and thanked former French Overseas Minister Victorin Lurel, who had asked the French Government to honour him with the decoration.
Other notable members of the audience included President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson, Daniel Gibbs MP, St. Martin's representative on the National Economic Council René Arnell, Raymond Helligar and Father Charles.
The ceremony was emceed by Emilie Richardson on a personal invitation by Guillaume Arnell.
