Cohasset French Bakery's Unique Uniform Display Honors American Soldiers
COHASSET (CBS) -- Honoring American soldiers is a Memorial Day tradition in a place that may seem unusual, a French bakery in Cohasset, but for the owner it's a way to say "thank you."
"This one is World War II Army, this one is World War II, Navy," says Jean Jacque Gabanelle, showing WBZ a small part of his uniform collection. For Gabanelle the display is about remembering U.S. soldiers.
"It was a tribute to them, to show other people what they did," he says.
Gabanelle owns the French Memories Bakery & Cafe in Cohasset. He grew up in France, in Normandy, and heard his family's stories of the World War II German occupation and the Allied invasion.
"During war, I'm sure they were sad, they cried, they (were) wounded. They had bad times. And they did what they did to fight for the uniform they were wearing," he says.
Gabanelle came to the states in 1985 and eventually began collecting uniforms and more.
"Along with the uniform came, sometimes, stories," he says.
He researches every one he can. Some are easy.
"His name is Herb Pierce. He lives in Scituate and he was in the 36th Infantry Regiment," says Gabanelle.
For others he looks for clues in the patches, medals and other decorations. And he puts a note in a pocket with what he's learned.
"His name was Lewis Wallace and he was in World War I in Chateau Thierry where he died," Gabanelle says.
And now, for several weeks around Memorial Day, he honors veterans by displaying uniforms from World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
"You know, it takes your breath away from you because, it's special," says Gabanelle.