April 23, 2008
For Immediate Release:
France Awards Tucci Ambassadorship
As you all know, this past weekend’s NYCC was abuzz with activity, rumors, announcements and the overall kind of boisterous buzz that energizes the souls of core comic book fans.
But within all this crowded excitement there was one bit of news that began to circulate among professional circles – a bit of news that hummed to an international tune.
Over the past decade, “Sergeant Rock – The Lost Battalion” writer/artist Billy Tucci has quietly garnered an impressive collection of personal and professional achievements. From award-winning comic book creator and publisher, to screenwriter and Independent filmmaker, now, Billy can lay claim to his most honored and important title -- Ambassador.
On March 4th, 2008 Monsieur Michel Langloix, Vice-President du Conseil General des Vosges bestowed the honor of Ambassador to William Tucci in the ancient town of Bruyeres. The citation reads, “William Tucci, Ambassadeur, De La Region De Bruyeres, Vosges, France.”
Amid a driving snowstorm, many provincial VIPs from the mountainous region of Lorraine gathered alongside Billy at the 100th/442nd Regimental Combat Team monument for a somber wreath laying ceremony, honoring the US Soldiers who liberated the town from their German occupiers. The ceremony, which included several regional mayors, vice presidents, councilors, resistance fighters and historians opened with a moving speech by Monsieur Kronel, mayor of la Houssiére, and was followed by a wreath laying and the simultaneous raising of the French tri-color and Stars and Stripes.
The 100th/442nd RCT was made up of Japanese/American “Nisei” soldiers – volunteers who chose to fight against tyranny and oppression overseas while many of their own family members were interned behind barbed wire in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s internment camps. It had achieved a 400 % casualty rate and is one, if not the most decorated unit in US military history.
Billy was locked deeply into the research for his latest project, “The Lost Battalion,” when he contacted two Vosgien historians, Hervé Claudon and Gerome Villain. “Since this Sgt. Rock is based on an actual battle and the soldiers who suffered through it, I felt compelled to write and draw a story as accurate as possible.” Tucci stated, “Over the course of several months, Hervé and Gerome not only served as indispensable experts on the region, the battle, and the men themselves, but we became the best of friends as well. With this connection between our soldiers and their land, we’ve really bonded as brothers.”
So much so that when the Shi creator decided to visit the Vosges region of France last month, the two historians opened their homes and literally treated him as family while they guided the American throughout the region and introduced him to several resistance fighters. “What stuck me was that these men, now in their seventies, where just mere boys at the time.” An emotional Billy revealed, “Boys who risked their lives guiding many Americans safely through the mountains and across rivers to attack the Germans, and now, here they were celebrating with me with all these photos and incredible stories. I couldn’t help but keep on hugging them!”
It seemed that Monsieur’s Claudon and Villain had many other surprises in store for the Yank as he followed in the footsteps of the 141st Infantry and 442nd RCT. He paid a visit to the Epinal American Cemetery and memorial situated at the foot of the Vosges Mountains overlooking the Moselle River. The cartoonist noted, “While the lion’s share of the Allied airpower, supplies, equipment and soldiers were sent into Germany through northern France, Belgium and Holland, this cemetery holds the remains of 5,255 American dead. And, though largely ignored and forgotten by the press and historians, it reveals the disproportionate brutality of the battles that raged in Eastern France and the heart of the Reich.”
But according to Billy, there are many who will never ignore or forget the sacrifice of those gallant soldiers -- the Vosgiens themselves. All along the way, he met with people and press, having conversations and doing interviews for several newspapers and even French National television – a link to his interview can be seen here:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4luoi_william-tucci-dessinateur-americain_creationBut, aside from all the wonderful Vosgien food and drink, nothing will compare to the memorial ceremony on Billy’s last day. “I was stunned by this wonderful surprise – I couldn’t believe it. Here I was holding this beautiful wreath, representing the United States. I had asked Monsieur Langloix, ‘why me?’ I had nothing to do with the liberation. I don’t deserve this.” “But he simply smiled and sternly instructed me that not only were they appreciative of my work but that the ambassadorship means that I am to tell my countrymen that the people of France will never forget their liberators.”
It is a task that Billy takes to heart and promises to do justice to those heroes, as “Sgt. Rock – The Lost Battalion” holds a special place in my soul, just like the Vosges mountains. After all, because of this series and DC Comics, I have been bestowed with the greatest honor of my life.”
