France has had a rough year.

And, the French military has been there every step of the way. They made things right, secured their country when pieces of trash attempted to embed fear and shock a pallor of death on a citizenry famous the world over for celebrating life, and restored an essential sense: freedom.

But if you had any reservations about whether or not tragedy and a war on terror has stilted the military’s psyche, leave them at your wreath-draped door, because this picture will renew your faith in not only the cheesemaking, wine guzzling nation, but the West as a whole.

Joyeux Noël!

french paratrooper

According to its source, the picture was taken by the “8th Marine Parachute Regiment, France”.