I don’t value French citizenship all that much, but these guys are true American heroes.

“Three Americans hailed heroes for thwarting a terror attack on a train to Paris, saving hundreds of lives, have been granted French citizenship for their bravery.

Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos and Spencer Stone tackled a jihadist gunman who opened fire on travelers on the high-speed Thalys train to Amsterdam in 2015.

The men, all 26, were officially welcomed as French citizens on Thursday in a ceremony in the US state of California.
…
The gunman, identified as Moroccan national Ayoub El Khazzani, was armed with a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a pistol and a box cutter…”

https://mol.im/a/6657539

I could see where holding dual US/French citizenship could be valuable. It basically opens up the entire European continent to the holder.

Second prize is two French citizenships?

I'm not so sure I'd want to be on the hook for French income taxes.

^^Ha, beat me to it.

Great! Now the can pay taxes in another country as well.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
I could see where holding dual US/French citizenship could be valuable. It basically opens up the entire European continent to the holder.

Yes, i would certainly value such a gift. I would never trade my US citizenship for any other, but having a dual US/French citizenship would be worthwhile, particularly for me. My understanding is that it's not that easy to get French citizenship either. Simply being born there for instance won't get it.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick Lee:
I'm not so sure I'd want to be on the hook for French income taxes.

You only pay income tax in France if you live and work there. It is not like the US where you pay income tax no matter where you live.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:
I don’t value French citizenship all that much, but these guys are true American heroes.

It is, in part, symbolic, and a worthy honor.

We should remember that the French are our longest-standing ally. Our nations have ties that date to the beginning of our country. France is a good friend of the U.S.

It may also have some tangible benefits for them.

Cheers to those men.

(And it probably doesn't expose you to French taxation. The U.S. is somewhat unusual in taxing income earned outside the U.S.)

quote:

It is, in part, symbolic, and a worthy honor.

I agree, I am not a fan of France in general but this is a nice gesture and should be treated as such.

congrats to the three hero's

well done on the part of France for doing this

A nation doesn't express it's gratitude by giving mere keys to the city! Didn't we give Lafayette American citizenship?

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
A nation doesn't express it's gratitude by giving mere keys to the city!

Included in their new citizen gift baskets were yellow automotive safety vests?

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
A nation doesn't express it's gratitude by giving mere keys to the city!

Included in their new citizen gift baskets were yellow automotive safety vests?

Hehe

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
I could see where holding dual US/French citizenship could be valuable. It basically opens up the entire European continent to the holder.

For the time being...

Personally, I think a huge state sponsored gala event would have been better.

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
I could see where holding dual US/French citizenship could be valuable. It basically opens up the entire European continent to the holder.

Yes, i would certainly value such a gift.

The potential advantages aside: I think it's rather a nice gesture on the part of the French people. I would be honoured were I those men.

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
<snip>
Personally, I think a huge state sponsored gala event would have been better.

I think that they got that, not long after the event.

I think it was a nice expression of appreciation by the French government. What the men did was exemplary and worthy of an honor.

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by bigdeal:
<snip>
Personally, I think a huge state sponsored gala event would have been better.

I think that they got that, not long after the event.

And judging from how they were dressed at that event, it was obvious they had not planned on such a thing happening and had no formal attire with them while traveling.

LOL

France can’t win ... if they honor some of our citizens with citizenship they are belittled and ridiculed. If France does nothing, then we ask them to give back our dead soldiers remains.

Some people just want to be butt hurt about anything.

Of course it is a tremendous tangible and intangible honor from one of our most treasured allies. I’m very impressed of France for doing this.

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
I think it was a nice expression of appreciation by the French government. What the men did was exemplary and worthy of an honor.

flashguy

I agree with you. This is an extraordinary honor.



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