Our Honolulu
Kind GI left an indelible memory
By Bob Krauss
Advertier Columnist
This is the tale of a 4-year-old girl in France who has clung for half a century to the memory of a kind American soldier who taught her to ride a bicycle. She wept over the Sept. 11 terror in the United States.
A postcard to the soldier's son in 'Ewa Beach, John Neller, reads: "We hope that your President and all the American people will overcome these sad moments and you will arrest the criminals who have dared attack your country and its inhabitants. God bless America. Georgette Simonin."
The son said, "My father was stationed in Dombasle, France, in the Army Air Force during World War II. His unit was housed in a boys' school. A French family lived across the street.
"The parents were George and Maria Rodhain. They had a 4-year-old daughter, Georgette. French people didn't have enough to eat. My father struck up a friendship with the daughter and taught her to ride a bicycle."
The mother remembered later, "He was so young and thin when we knew him, polite and kind. I was never afraid of him befriending my daughter."
Georgette said, "He came to our house often. In time, he gave us 40 bars of chocolate, and white bread. I also remember that I had an abscess in my throat. While it was being treated, he had large tears which rolled down behind his glasses."
Neller left a few photos when his outfit moved to Germany. After the war, he married in New Jersey and sent wedding pictures to the Rodhains in Dombasle. Quite a number of food packages addressed to Georgette followed. But there was no acknowledgement.
The families lost touch. Years later, the son of the postman in Dombasle found some empty parcels in the basement. They were addressed to Georgette. He told her that his father, the postman, must have stolen the food to feed his family.
When the Rodhains learned of this, they felt terrible. Georgette, now married, tried through American and French organizations to locate John Neller in America and thank him. But she had no address. Finally an akamai Frenchman gave her the address of nine John Nellers in the United States.
Georgette wrote identical letters to all of them: "If you recognize your history and you are the GI who came to Dombasle, I will be very happy to have news of you."
The John Neller had died in 1987, but he had often told his wife about the little French girl.
"My mother knew right away," said son John.
Mrs. Neller wrote back. With her son and his wife, and French-speaking daughter, she visited Georgette, who returned the visit in New Jersey. Now she and her husband plan to visit Hawai'i.
On Sept. 11, Georgette stayed up until midnight to call and say how sorry she was.
Reach Bob Krauss at bkrauss@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-2073.
