Touching the Spirit of the West Monday, November 27, 2006
Thousands of people lined the streets and gathered in the
Bismarck auditorium on this day in 1921 to greet the French war
hero, Marshal Ferdinand Foch. Marshal Foch was credited for
holding the Germans at Marne, and for devising much of the
strategy that won the war. Now the great war hero was on a tour
of the United States, and because he wished to see as much of
the United States as possible during his 60-day visit, the tour
brought him to Bismarck for one day. The Bismarck residents set
to work upon the news of his visit, and were determined to give
Foch a visit he’d never forget. Following the ceremony, it was
evident they had succeeded. Foch arrived in Bismarck at 11
o’clock. A short parade led him through the streets of Bismarck,
then to the city auditorium where he and several of his
companions spoke to the large crowd. The audience waited
patiently through the other speakers to hear Foch. In his
speech, Marshal Foch spoke of the similarities be