I’m getting married in France (to a Frenchman) and am trying to find a compromise between our U.S. traditions for the English version of the invitation. In France, when one of the parents is a veteran, it’s mentioned. My father served four years in Vietnam but did not retire and ended his service. Would it be improper to add “United States Air Force” (the branch he served in) after his name?
— Margo C.
Dear Margo:
In the US it would be not be in line with Department of Defense guidelines to include a rank and or branch of service for a veteran who is not a retiree. Further, branch of service after a name without a rank would not be something that you’d see in the U.S.A.
How about …. if the wedding is in the US, follow the US custom … or if the wedding is in France, follow the the French custom. Then you are consistent to the tradition in the place the ceremony is to occur.
– Robert Hickey www.formsofaddress.info
Good idea. That’s what we will do.
— Margo C.
Leave a Reply