Two Eras, One Country: Remembering France
Bill Madsen (left) and Chaplain Byron Simar (right) review a map of France, reminiscing about their time spent in the same country decades apart.
With a map of France spread between them, Bill Madsen and Chaplain Byron Simar trace familiar cities and landscapes — each recalling a very different season of life spent in the same country.
For Bill, France meant military service.
Bill served in the United States Army, stationed near Metz in northeastern France, not far from the German border. The region carried deep ties to both World War I and World War II, and reminders of that history were never far away. Living there meant being immersed in a landscape shaped by global conflict — something far removed from his Iowa roots.
Bill served as a sergeant — a role that came with responsibility and, in his case, a memorable privilege.
Because of his rank, he was able to bring his car overseas — a convertible that quickly became more than just transportation. At a time when not everyone had access to a personal vehicle, the convertible made him popular. Friends were eager for rides, and spontaneous outings became part of daily life. As Bill recalls with a smile, everyone wanted to buy the gas. The car created easy camaraderie and lasting friendships, turning ordinary drives into shared adventures.
For a young Army sergeant from Iowa, France was eye-opening. The language, the culture, and the centuries-old cities were worlds away from home. Yet those years broadened his perspective and left him with stories that still surface easily decades later.
For Chaplain Byron Simar, France represented a different calling entirely.
Byron and his wife, Martha, moved to France in 1995 and remained there until 2015, serving in ministry for 20 years. They worked at a Bible training center housed in a 250-year-old stone farmhouse set on roughly 70 acres. The property included student housing and historic structures — some dating back to World War I — blending history with hands-on ministry.
Living near Lyon, the Simars embraced French culture while mentoring students and building community. Byron recalls traveling to Marseille along the Mediterranean, Grenoble near the Alps — known for its role in the French Resistance — and Toulouse near the Spanish border. Retreats in Switzerland and cross-country drives added depth to their years of service.
As the two men reminisce, their stories overlap geographically but differ in purpose and era — one shaped by Army duty, the other by ministry. Yet both reflect on growth, friendship, and the lasting impact of living abroad.
With the map still open between them, it becomes clear: though separated by decades and vocation, France left a meaningful imprint on them both.
Bill Madsen smiles as he recalls the adventures — and friendships — sparked by his convertible during his time in France.
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