Iris
Inside this capsule: a seed of Iris — and a story of friendship that began in 1950. Drag the capsule to face its label; the QR code is real.
The flower of France
Photo: User:GinoMM · CC BY-SA 3.0
The flower behind the fleur-de-lis, France's oldest emblem — carried on standards for a thousand years, planted here for peace.
Flower meaning
The iris — the fleur-de-lis — has meant faith and valor on French standards for a thousand years.
Growing your seed
Free the seed from its compostable kraft shell, then give it what iris asks for:
Watch it grow
Robert Terol was born on February 2, 1933 in Morocco. His parents’ nationality was French, and he moved there to join the French army in 1951 when he was barely eighteen years old. The Korean War had begun just the year prior. After completing his training at an NCO (non-commissioned officer) school in Strasbourg, he…
A voice from France’s service in Korea · More on Korean War Legacy Foundation
French veterans of Korea, and the families of those who remained, are remembered at memorials in both countries. This iris grows in their colors — steadfast and unbowed.
“We Remember. We Grow Together.”
Voices from the archive
Stories from veterans, families and participants that carry the same values as the iris — retold from the record, never invented.
Ralph Monclar, a general of the Foreign Legion, accepted the rank of lieutenant-colonel so he could lead the French Battalion in Korea himself. He was nearly sixty; he went anyway. His battalion's stand at Chipyong-ni is studied to this day.
Source: French Battalion of the UN, unit history
Help this archive grow
Did someone in your family serve with France in Korea — or were they healed, taught or befriended by those who did? Every entry is reviewed and verified with you before publication.
Share a story1950 – 1953
The French Battalion of the UN forces fought attached to the US 2nd Infantry Division, distinguished at Chipyong-ni and Heartbreak Ridge. It was led by Ralph Monclar, a general who accepted a reduction in rank to lieutenant-colonel so that he could command the battalion in Korea himself.
Historical passages are written with care and without invented figures; details still under review are marked for verification before print.
France carries a long tradition of honor rendered to those who serve — the flame rekindled nightly at the Arc de Triomphe. The iris, elegant and upright, has stood for that dignity since the age of kings.
Why the Iris
The flower behind the fleur-de-lis, France's oldest emblem — carried on standards for a thousand years, planted here for peace.