MILFORD, Del.- France will honor two Sussex County sisters for their military service during World War II.
Ellan Orkin and Dorothy Sinner served as U.S. Army nurses in northern France in 1944. The sisters recently learned France would award each of them a Legion of Honor medal, the highest distinction in France, as a thank you for their service nearly seven decades later.
"We don't really deserve this, we really don't," said Orkin, who convinced her sister to enlist with her. "Nobody told us to go in the army. We had a job to do. We did our job."
The women, who now live together in Milford, arrived in France following the invasion of Normandy and offered medical treatment to American soldiers. They signed up at ages 22 and 24, without asking their mother and on condition that they would not be separated.
"After I got there, met these 18-year-old men, you wanted to take care of them," said Sinner.
Both are overwhelmed at the award, noting they are unaware of who may have nominated them.
"It's something that you can't even visualize," said Sinner. "It's unbelievable."
France's secretary of veteran affairs will decorate the women during a service at the French Embassy in Washington next week.
"Both of them return on the beaches of Normandy every year for the celebration of the D-Day, which we find touching and inspiring," said embassy spokeswoman Dana Purcarescu via email.
The army veterans began their annual trek to France about nine years ago. People there have already honored the duo with a special monument. The sisters said the people of northern France have become like family.
Despite two years away from home and upsetting her mother, Orkin does not regret her decision to serve.
"It was something we had to do," Orkin said.
French and American officials, veterans and students are set to take part in the awards ceremony next Thursday at the French Embassy in Washington.
Ellan Orkin and Dorothy Sinner served as U.S. Army nurses in France during World War II.
