On the occasion, Sanjinez expressed gratitude to the Peruvian Government and the Armed Forces for the award.
Likewise, the veteran stressed that he learned how to be a soldier thanks to the training he had received. However, Sajinez pointed out he does not support wars.
According to the Royal National Federation of Veterans of the Piron Brigade, Sanjinez —who had applied for Belgian citizenship after the war, but in vain— attended a ceremony in memory of the first Belgian soldier killed at the Battle of Normandy on August 17, 1944.
The Peruvian veteran was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French Ambassador to Peru in 2017.
Under British command, the Piron Brigade numbered 2,000 men who spoke 33 different languages. Twenty-seven (27) were killed in action during the Normandy campaign and 65 were seriously wounded, according to the Federation's website.
In 1944, he had taken part in the liberation of French communities: Cabourg (August 21), Deauville (August 22), Honfleur (August 24), and Brussels (September 3).
(END) MAO/RMB/MVB