Gabriel was larger than life.
Gabriel LaPeyrusse, Mayor of Nerac, head of the Maquis during World War II, was one of many who protected and saved my husband during World War II.
General Yeager and I visited his house recently. It’s a pretty and historic house with a large yard. The fields behind it used to belong to it. In 1944, it was considered on the outskirts of town. Now it’s pretty well within the center.
A perfect cover. Gabriel was a farmer and had the first space at the Saturday market. Easy place to meet naturally.
Gabriel’s son opened up the house to us: showed us the house and the attic where General Yeager refused to hide those many years ago. Frankly, looking at it and only one way to get out, I don’t blame him! Not that I would 2nd guess a West Virginian evading a German….
Gabriel’s son then showed us some of Gabriel’s medals and honours. So fascinating.
I could only imagine as I looked at the tree under which General Yeager, having been shot down during World War II, and in hiding from the Germans, sat so many years ago and quietly held his breath as the German soldiers marched by.
On a Saturday, we visited the market where Gabriel had sold his vegetables. We spoke to his neighbor in the booth next door, who was old enough to remember those days as a kid helping his father. He told us how messages were passed along.
The town square where the market starts is where we often came for fresh croissants during our visit.
I imagined myself back in 1944 – funny I often imagine those days in black and white because the photos are mostly black and white – how it must have been, trying to save La France, live as normal a life, appear to live as normal a life, while doing all one could to expel the Nazis.
Gabriel made it all work – he, as Mayor, had to interact at a high level with the Nazis. And at the same time organize and mobilize his network of Maquis and Underground.
The French in that area helped over 1600 American airmen to safety over the Pyrenees.
We visited the churches Gabriel would have visited.
And we visited his grave. A beautiful grave.
I started to ask a question, looked over at General Yeager and decided to not interrupt his private moment.
Pretty monumental to stand next to the grave of the man who watched over you, kept you safe, and saved your life over the course of several weeks.
We all thank Gabriel, from Chuck Yeager’s Mom, Dad, Grandpa Yeager, Grandma Yeager, family, brothers, sister, Glennis, friends, fellow airmen, the Air Force, Larry Bell, his squadrons, fans. And I.
When Gen Yeager returned to visit Gabriel in 1956, it was indescribable. Imagine. Gabriel, the man who saved his life, seeing his special charge, and his special charge had proven all the dangers were worth it perhaps even more.
One of the people who had seen the parachute coming down when she was four with her brother who was six said to me in French: Yes, he was definitely worth saving….
I waited. I thought she was going to mention all the accomplishments Gen Yeager had achieved – breaking the sound barrier and far, far more….
She continued: Sooooooo handsome.
I smiled in agreement that he was soooooooo handsome but I also confess I had an irreverent thought: Thank goodness he wasn’t ugly then.
At the graveyard, another man came over – he was the keeper. He had known Gabriel. When he saw us paying our respects, his eyes welled up, too.
Gabriel was a hero to many, many people. Courageous, clever at maneuvering amongst the different factions, and a vivacious lover of life. He knew it could be short.
c. GCYI