His Excellency Francois Delattre, the Ambassador of the French Republic, returned to International Student House on the evening of April 16, 2013 to address residents and friends on France’s January 2013 military intervention in Mali and the rise of Islamic insurgencies in North Africa. The conversation following Ambassador Delattre’s remarks was led by former Representative James L. Oberstar, who was awarded the rank of Commander in the National Order of Merit by the government of France in 2012.   ISH resident Pierre Malafosse introduced the Ambassador, highlighting his background in defense issues and European and transatlantic security concerns.  The conversation focused on the strategic interests of France in Northern Africa and the security implications of Islamic insurgency for Europe as a whole.

His Excellency had served as the Diplomatic Chair of the 2012 International Student House Gala, and graciously hosted a group of residents and members of the board of directors at the official residence in the fall of 2012.

On April 12, 2013 Board of Directors members Andrew Ammerman and Kathryn Horlick led a group of ISH residents on an in-depth visit to the Pentagon. Mr. Ammerman explained the design and function of the Pentagon, which was originally intended as a storage facility for the heavy boxes of documents to be generated by the Department of Defense before and during World War II.  This accounts in part for the sturdy design that helped the building withstand the attack of September 11, 2001.  Board member Lilibet Hagel joined the group, which was graciously received by the Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense, in his office for photographs, a look at some of the portraits of military leaders that lined the walls, and an insight into the responsibilities weighing on the man entrusted with the defense of the United States.

Afterwards the group attended the ceremony following the award of the United States’ highest military honor, the Medal of Honor, to Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, a priest who encountered enemy fire in the Korean War in order to provide comfort to soldiers on the battlefield, recover the wounded, and bring food and support for them in their captivity.

This fascinating day ended with a tour of the memorial to those who died in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon of Sept. 11, 2001.  James Laychak, President of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, conducted a tour of the indoor and outdoor memorial sites, explaining the artist’s concept of benches to memorialize each person who died in the attack.