President Nicolas Sarkozy pinned the Legion of Honor — France’s highest award — on former hostage Ingrid Betancourt today, praising her courage and saying: "We love you." The award was presented on Bastille day [July 14th] at a garden party at the presidential Elysee Palace, marking France's national day. President Nicolas Sarkozy was full of praise for Ingrid, saying "we're happy to have found you again, we love you." "You are a symbol of hope," continued Sarkozy, pinning the medal to Betancourt’s purple dress.
She responded humbly, saying she was "moved," and that "little by little, she was becoming herself again." She dedicated the award to the hostages that still remain in captivity.
The Légion d'honneur is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. It is a world-renowned Order and the highest decoration in France . It is divided into five degrees: Knight, Officer, Commander, Grand Officer, and Grand Cross. Its motto is to Honour the Fatherland and its seat is the Palais de la Legion d'Honneur on the left bank of the River Seine in Paris.
Ingrid joins the ranks of Clint Eastwood, Vladimir Putin, Valentino, Steven Spielberg, Celine Dion, who have also received this honorable decoration from France.
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