In 1946 citizens of Dunkirk founded the Dunkirk Society. That organization, with Mayor Walter Murray as chairman, organized an effort to raise funds and material aid for their war devastated sister city of Dunkerque, France. The results were so great that the Times Herald of Washington stated, "It is a veritable Tale of two cities. One of them famous and one of them that should be." CBS Radio broadcast the events live and Eleanor Roosevelt praised the city in her column "My Day." The New York Times, Newsweek, and other publications featured the story. On Thanksgiving Day, 1946, a mile long parade passed a review stand displaying the donations being handed over to the French city. Mayor LeMaMaire Robelet of Dunkerque, the French Ambassador Henri Bonnet, actors Charles Boyer, actress Simone Simon, CBS president William Daley, and other dignitaries witnessed livestock, farm equipment, an ambulance, medical supplies, tools, dental equipment, and school supplies pass by. Mayor Murray was presented the Legion of Honor in recognition of the service Dunkirk had rendered to the French city.
