In December of 2007, Ray Bradbury was made a commandeur of France's Arts and Letters, and received from France the medal which accompanies that prestigious award. Ray was very proud of this honor, and I rarely saw him without the medal, even when visiting him at his home. The link below will take you to a Los Angeles Time article regarding Ray's receipt of this honor:

https://www.latimes.com/archiv...scores-another-honor

And the following link will take you to a 2009 photo of Ray wearing his medal:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...ay_Bradbury_2009.jpg

Yes! Mr. Bradbury was proudly wearing his Commandeur of France's Arts and Letters medal when we visited to be a part of his 89th Birthday celebrations. During the day, Bo Derek shared in the greetings and exchanges that were a part of the day's events. Miss Derek was very gracious and welcoming and actually took extra time to hear about our cross-country journey to meet and visit with Mr. B. Everyone at the Bookstore and Theatre was extremely friendly and pleased (privileged!) to be present for the celebrations and performances!

https://kennethstrange.com/wp-...bo-derek-and-ray.jpg

He must have been wearing the medal at his 90th birthday but the ribbon was so long it was not very noticeable.

The link below will take you to a photo of Ray at the 90th birthday celebration held for him at the late, lamented Mystery & Imagination Book Shop in Glendale, California. He is holding a birthday gift given to him by Patricia Rogers: a painting of his cat Hally. Ray is wearing his Commandeur of France's Arts and Letters medal:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/...m-72157624753312424/

"...the late, lamented Mystery & Imagination Bookstore in Glendale!"
We were quite surprised when we exchanged with Christine Bell several years ago and heard this news! M&I was a fanatastic Bookstore in a great location!?

"There is more than one way to burn a book!" -RB
Visit any school K-12 these days, and you may occasionally still see a page being turned!


https://www.kpcc.org/2012-06-0...ale-bookstore-owners

quote:

Originally posted by Richard:
Ray was very proud of this honor, and I rarely saw him without the medal, even when visiting him at his home.

I wiped salad dressing off that medal for him once when we went to supper one night.