Lover of Two...

Lover of two countries, that is. 
Marquis de Lafayette {1757-1834}

"One of the {American} Revolution's idealists, this young Frenchman came to America at age 19, wealthy enough to pay for his own ship to make the journey. Like other young European aristocrats for whom war was a matter of personal honor and social standing, Lafayette came in search of glory and adventure. In exchange for a major general's rank, he offered to serve without pay, and quickly earned Washington's affection. They developed an almost father-son relationship. Given a minor command, Lafayette proved to be an able and loyal commander.
During a trip back to France, he was instrumental in securing the French military assistance that was the key to the American victory at Yorktown. At the surrender, Lafayette's personal band proudly piped "Yankee Doodle Dandy," once a song mockingly sung by the British to taunt the Americans. After the war, Lafayette returned to France with enough American soil in which to be buried."
{Don't Know Much About History by Kenneth C. Davis ISBN:0-06-008382-4}

While Lafayette seems to be most celebrated here in the states for helping with our bid for freedom from Britain; in his native France he is held to a lesser degree by historians. Depending on who you listen to he was either a hero and great influence in France or a half-wit from a wealthy family playing soldier.

"To the historians on the left, he was a traitor to the glorious cause. To historians on the right, he was too ineffective to be their hero"
{Patrice Gueniffey, “Lafayette” in François Furet and Mona Ozouf, eds., A Critical Dictionary of the French Revolution}

I personally just like the bit about how he brought back enough American soil to be buried under in France. Now some people of my generation might not get the significance of this, but I studied European history in high school and know full well how extremely proud theses men and women were when it came to their country. 

Anywho, there is your random history for the day. :)  

{PS: I'm not sure what is going on with the font size... sorry if it is difficult to read}