SISTER CITY - BREAL-SOUS-MONTFORT

City of Harrisburg Proclaims Sister City Relationship with Breal-Sous-Montfort, France! 

On June 13, 2025, following unanimous approval by the City Council, the City of Harrisburg enacted an agreement to enter into a Sister-City relationship with Breal-sous-Montfort, France.  This relationship is established due to our friendship and shared values with this City in France.  The two cities together, agree to:

1. - Continue to honor the memory of Lieutenant Quinn and pay tribute each year to all those who have fought to defend freedom around the world, during their respective patriotic ceremonies.
2. - Pass on the duty of remembrance to younger generations, by involving school pupils in commemorative ceremonies and by organizing exhibitions or conferences for their benefit.
3. - Enable the residents of Harrisburg and Breal-sous-Montfort to get to know each other better through the regular exchange of information on the two towns, by disseminating it in local publications and press outlets.
4. - Encourage and facilitate direct contacts between residents of the two cities who wish to establish friendly links or fruitful contacts, particularly in the academic, linguistic, cultural, tourist, sporting or artistic fields.
5. - Facilitate the reception of people who wish to go to Harrisburg or Breal-sous-Montfort and guide them to enable them to visit Oregon or Brittany respectively, during tourist, cultural or educational trips.
6. - Promote and support any other initiative that will strengthen ties between the two cities, including in the craft and commercial sectors.

The Sister Cities Agreement is effective symbolically on the anniversary of the death of Lieutenant RG Quinn.  

During World War II, On June 13, 1944, an American Pilot from Harrisburg, 1st Lt. Russell Gerald Quinn was shot down in his plane, a P. 38, when returning from a mission.  His plane crashed outside of the train station in Breal, and citizens rushed to the scene only to find that the plane was destroyed, and pilot was killed.  The people of Breal, and in particular, Harrisburg Honorary  Citizen, Jean-Paul Favier, who was only 9 at the time, wanted to honor the pilot who had bravely given his life in defending freedom, and protecting the French citizens in Breal-sous-Montfort. 

Starting in 1994, JP Favier started researching the soldiers who had lost their lives during the war, starting with Lt. Quinn.  He started a quest to find Quinn's remaining relatives in Harrisburg.  He was connected by the City Recorder at that time, Grayce Coffey, who brought him into contact with Reporter Marilyn Montgomery Smith.  Marilyn grew up in Harrisburg, and was good friends with the Quinn's, and knew that Pat Hayworth, was the sister of Russell Quinn.  She was only 14 when her brother was shot down.   The Hayworths, Pat & John, with children Mary and Russ, all flew to Breal in May 1995, to participate in the dedication ceremony.  

Breal has placed a monument to the memory of 1st. Lieutenant Russell Quinn in town, as well as naming a street after him.  Every year, they hold a commemorative celebration to honor the sacrifices of the people who died in World War II, and to specifically keep 1st Lt. Quinn's memory and actions alive, and remembered.  It's Harrisburg's intention to bring the memory of Russell Quinn, and the Quinn family, back to the forefront of citizens minds.  

Harrisburg thanks Marilyn Montgomery Smith, and Russ Hayworth, as well as from France, Jean Paul Favier, and his son-in-law, Thierry Thomas, who have all requested that Harrisburg and Breal-sous-Montfort join together in this new Sister-City Relationship.  Harrisburg is a deeply patriotic City, who believes in the Freedom of our country and people.  

More will be added to this website in the future!