April 20^th, 2016 marks the 100^thanniversary of the Escadrille Lafayette’s initial deployment to Luxeuil-les-Bains. The top ace of the unit was a French-born, naturalized U.S. citizen, Raoul Lufbery. Lufbery recorded an incredible 17 of the unit’s 40 victories with the Escadrille Lafayette. Fittingly, in Connecticut, the state that Lufbery called home, the Western Connecticut chapter of MOAA is hosting several honorary events for the Escadrille Lafayette in the coming weeks. These events will serve as a celebration of the airmen of the Lafayette, but also as a promotion for the memorial ceremony happening in France on the centennial anniversary.

• April 10^th – Western Connecticut Military Officers Association hosting panels recalling “The Lafayette” in Stamford, CT
• April 20^th – Colonel Serge Gabriel (USA) Ret. discussion with supporting panels to Retired Men’s Association (RMA) of Greenwich, CT, regarding the ceremony on the same day in France.
• May 10^th - Colonel Serge Gabriel (USA) Ret. discussion of “The Lafayette” at the Byram Library in Greenwich, CT