On Thursday, April 10, at 7 p.m., the Fayetteville-Saint Avold Friendship Alliance will host an exclusive, one-time screening of The Girl Who Wore Freedom at the Cameo Art House Theatre. This deeply moving documentary captures the untold stories of D-Day 1944, as told by the men, women, and children who lived through the Nazi occupation and experienced the Allied liberation of Normandy, France.
Following the screening, the film’s producer, co-writer and director, Christian Taylor, will take part in a special Q&A session, offering insights into the making of the documentary and the incredible personal stories it brings to light.
“This film is a unique opportunity to hear from the people who experienced the war firsthand,” Taylor said. “Their voices are a testament to the resilience and gratitude that the people of France still feel toward the Allied forces who liberated them.”
This screening is more than just a film event—it is a moment to reflect on history and celebrate the enduring friendship between Fayetteville and Saint Avold, France, two sister cities with deep military and cultural ties.
“I hope viewers walk away with a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made during World War II and the unbreakable bonds of gratitude and friendship that continue to this day. The documentary is a tribute to those who fought for freedom and to the citizens of Normandy who have never forgotten their liberators. It’s a reminder of the human cost of war and the lasting impact it has on people, families, and communities. Most importantly, I want viewers to feel inspired to honor the past and ensure that the stories of these veterans and their sacrifices continue to be shared and remembered,” says Taylor.
A Sister City Connection
The upcoming screening was made possible through a longstanding relationship between Fayetteville and Saint Avold, which was first established by Madame Raymonde Schwietzer, Deputy Mayor of Saint Avold, and strengthened by dedicated individuals committed to historical remembrance.
A delegation of five visitors from Saint Avold will arrive in Fayetteville on Wednesday, April 9, where they will be hosted by FSAFA board members Bud Lafferty and Stacie Ferry. Their visit will include an in-depth exploration of Fayetteville’s military history and its connection to France.
Their itinerary includes a visit to the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, led by Rob Patton, Executive Vice President of the Fayetteville Economic Development Corporation. That evening, they will be welcomed at an All-American Cookout, providing an opportunity to build friendships between the French delegation and the Fayetteville community.
On Thursday, the group will take a guided tour of Fayetteville with retired City Historian Bruce Daws, followed by a visit to the 82nd Airborne Museum, hosted by Brig. Gen. (R) John Aarsen, museum director and curator, and an FSAFA member. After a dinner downtown, they will attend the special screening at Cameo Art House Theatre. Although their visit will be brief—the group departs early Friday morning—the FSAFA is committed to making their time in Fayetteville memorable and meaningful.
A Trip of Memory and Friendship
For the delegation from Saint Avold, this visit is deeply personal. Their journey is dedicated to honoring the Americans who liberated France.
"In 1944, Captain Winters' plane crashed where we live, leaving behind in Florida a newborn son he had never seen," said Nadège Hauck-Pansera, one of the delegation members. "Billy Winters, his son, contacted the right people, and in 2014, a memorial was established. Billy visited for the first time and also saw the Lorraine American Cemetery in Saint Avold, where his father rests."
Fayetteville also shares a direct connection to this history through Pvt. William Shaw, a local soldier who was killed in action on September 12, 1944, near Nancy, France. He is buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery, the largest American WWII cemetery in Europe. His youngest sister, Mrs. Gillie Shaw Revelle, will be attending the film screening.
The FSAFA continues to honor these legacies through events like this screening, as well as future projects, including the Bastille Day Silent Auction and Membership Drive on Saturday, July 12, at Sanford House at Heritage Square.
The Delegation from Saint Avold
The five delegates from Saint Avold are all deeply connected to Captain Winters' story and are actively involved in historical
preservation efforts:
• Dany Heckel – Deputy Mayor of Wolfskirchen, where Captain Winters' plane crashed. He has been preserving the memorial since 2014.
• Carmen Hocevar – Lays flowers at the Lorraine American Cemetery for the American World War II Orphans Network, including on Captain Winters’ grave.
• Lucien Drommer – Vice President of SHAB, a local historian specializing in graves and monuments, and the organizer of the Captain Winters booklet.
• Paul Anthony – President of the Société d'Histoire de l'Alsace Bossue, a history teacher, and historian actively engaged in various remembrance organizations.
• Nadège Hauck-Pansera – Granddaughter of a WWII political resistance fighter deported to Dachau, English teacher, President of the local chapter of Le Souvenir Français, and Secretary of SHAB.
Keeping History Alive Through FSAFA
The Fayetteville-Saint Avold sister city relationship was established in 1993 thanks to the efforts of the late Martha Duell, a French war bride dedicated to strengthening ties between the U.S. and France. While Saint Avold is not in Normandy, the effects of D-Day were deeply felt throughout France, particularly in the Lorraine region, which was liberated months later on November 27, 1944.
The suggested donation for attending the screening is $5 for FSAFA members and $10 for non-members. This event is more than just a film screening—it is a powerful tribute to memory, sacrifice, and the friendships that continue to grow across generations and continents.