Read it again. It was the US government that was refusing to give him a passport because they weren’t able to prove he was a US citizen.
It was our own USA style ignorant jackasses that nearly made him miss the trip. France welcomes these guys from all stories.
Thanks for your reply. Just an offhand comment, based on an old anecdote. I hold The French blameless, here, as well. Freegards !
‘You have been to France before Monsieur?’ the official asked in an aggressive tone.
Harvey, smiled and admitted that he had been to France before.
‘In that case you should know enough to have your passport ready for inspection,’ barked the bad-tempered officer.
Harvey gently informed the man that the last time he came to France he did not have to show his passport or any other documents.
‘Pas possible, old man. You Americans always have to show your passports on arrival in ‘la belle France.’
Harvey gave the Frenchman a long hard look. ‘I assure you, young man, that when I came ashore on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day
in 1944, there was no damned Frenchman on the beach asking for passports.’