MANSFIELD, Ohio — With the French president declaring a state of war for France, new French airstrikes hitting ISIS targets in Syria, and sympathy and concern expressed around the world, a Mansfield couple took it all in—from a flat in Paris.
Pete and Jan Haver were already in Paris when terrorists staged coordinated attacks at six locations in the French city Friday, Nov. 13. The attacks, which ISIS subsequently claimed responsibility for, killed at least 129 people in Paris and wounded 352.
Fortunately, the Havers are not staying near the area where Tuesday night’s police raid on an apartment that resulted in the deaths of two suspects and seven arrests.
Pete Haver is retired after 30 years teaching special needs students at Madison. He also coached cross country and track for 25 years. Jan Haver is retired from the State of Ohio. The couple has five adult daughters: Jennifer, Amy, Kristin, Allison and Anna.
The Havers are staying in a small “cute” flat they rented on the Left Bank in the 7th Arrondissement in Paris, which includes the Eiffel Tower. The attacks occurred on the opposite side of the Seine River in the 10th and 11th arrondissments and at the Stade de France, a stadium. The city of Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements, or administrative districts.
At the time of the attacks the Havers were out to dinner at Corcoran’s Irish Pub. Pete Haver described Corcoran’s as in the range of one or two kilometers from Le Bataclan (music venue) and the Marais (restaurant and café area) where attacks occurred.
With the time difference and limited phone time, we conducted an email interview.
Question: Why are you in Paris? How long have you been there?
Pete: We have had this trip in the back of our minds for a few years. It was on Jan’s bucket list to stay for a month in Paris, to live like a local, to get to know the neighborhood as well as the outer arrondissemonts. It is strictly a vacation. Before coming here we spent three nights in London and took the Chunnel to Paris. We got into London on October 31 (with daughter Jennifer. She stayed with us until November 10) and we all got to Paris on the afternoon of November 3.
Q: Can you give a sense of feelings there after the attacks? What are each of your feelings?
Jan: it was surreal. We received a text message from home – “Everybody ok? Getting news about some shootings and bombs in restaurants in Paris.” This was at 10:30 p.m. Paris time. I read the text at 10:40 p.m. when we got back. We watched TV for a couple hours and could not believe what was happening. We heard from a lot of family/friends back home. Got up the next morning and did not hear the usual sounds of the neighborhood. Peaked out the door around 10 a.m.
Pete and I decided to walk to the neighborhood market which is about four blocks away. It was open as well as other shops/restaurants/bakeries in the neighborhood. As time goes on, we seem to be aware of every siren we hear.
Pete: I didn’t think much after we received the text; I believe I did not hear the word, “bomb.” Pardon me for thinking that shootings are now commonplace around the world. I thought it was another nut who had finally had enough and wanted to take out as many people with him as possible. Then we got a text telling us to turn on the television and my thoughts changed completely and we thought of 9/11. It took us a while and a call from one of the girls back home to put on social media and emails that we were safe. We did feel badly that we did not do this sooner.
We learned the next morning that the metro was shut down. At that time, we learned, taxi drivers turned off their meters and gave free rides to those who needed a lift because of the metro shutdown– a very classy move on the drivers’ part.
Although the folks of France are putting on a brave face, I feel that even five days removed they still feel that there just may be another incident – and of course there is that possibility. However, we might just be safer here than in the states – in the long term.
Q: Are you seeing heightened security?
Jan: Yes, a lot of military presence (with machine guns) around government and touristy spots.
Pete: There are 1,500 military soldiers on duty in the city now. They are generally in pairs or threes. They appear to be in full military gear. We noticed this at the Louvre and Notre Dame especially. They are some intense, scary looking fellows. They won’t make eye contact when you pass them. One can’t help but wonder if they can actually stop a terrorist event from happening or do they just make folks feel safer. There are also, it appears, more unarmed city police and more Gendarmes, armed national police.
Q: Do you feel prompted to leave?
The morning after the attacks we talked about leaving. We are not sure we could have gotten out the next morning as the borders were closed. We thought we would see what the general reaction was by watching the television news and seeing what Kristin thought (Their daughter joined them Nov. 8 and is staying for the duration). Though we never really said we were going to stay we did decide we were not leaving – if that makes sense.
On occasion, since the attack, we have mentioned leaving because museums and some attractions are closed. We have kept busy by shopping in open stores and seeking open cafes and just looking at the gorgeous, beautiful city. There never was a time when we could not find something to do.
Q: What is your reception in the city as Americans?
Jan: Great! We have gotten to know a few people around us. A lady in the local deli, who speaks English well, wanted to know how long we’re here, even giving us the days she works. We had two people yesterday thank us for not leaving Paris after the attacks.
Pete: We are treated very well. Most everyone knows some English. Most of the people seem glad to have Americans here. They do feel that France and The United States have stood together in the past and will do so in the future.
Q: Do the feelings you described of perhaps not being sure it’s over remind you of 9/11 here?
Pete: Well, yes. They all fall into the category of terrorism. We ask why are people so desperate to have to do this. There has to be some understanding or the world will suffer from these tragic events for a long time. Blowing the hell out of a country is not going to make these things go away. Without an ounce of sympathy for the terrorist, I can say they are desperate and that desperation needs removed.
Q: What is your perspective as a teacher?
It has been mentioned that teachers here have had to handle a couple of situations. About 10 months ago they had to explain the Charlie Hebdo (Spelling) situation to their students. Teachers in lower grades here had to deal with explaining death and terrorism.
It has been mentioned in the French news that some teachers in upper grades have had to deal with students who would not observe a minute of silence for those that were killed in the Charlie terror attacks. The reason for not observing the moment of silence is that they infringed in their religion. It does seem a bit more is required of those instructors than having to deal with someone who won’t stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
