Lafayette, we are here

Cultural  

1. Words spoken by an American military officer in 1917 at the tomb of a French patriot, the Marquis de Lafayette, who fought for the United States in the Revolutionary War. “Lafayette, we are here” suggested that, by entering World War I on the side of France, Americans were repaying a debt to the French, who had helped the United States gain its independence from Britain. Some have identified the person who first said “Lafayette, we are here” as General John Pershing.

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Example Sentences

When he was called upon, he was dumfounded, but at last he said, "Well, Lafayette, we are here."

From Lest We Forget World War Stories by Bigwood, Inez

Looking down at the grave, he spoke in a quiet, impressive tone four simple, all-meaning words: "Lafayette, we are here."

From "And they thought we wouldn't fight" by Gibbons, Floyd

The oft quoted remark of General Pershing, "Lafayette, we are here," added to the impressiveness.

From The Story of General Pershing by Everett T.