“Let us keep the spirit of June 18, 1940 alive!”
On June 18, 1940, as France had lost a battle, the enemy had overwhelmed its army and its government resigned itself to defeat, one man...
This flame was that of the Résistance, it was never to go out again. “This man was Général de Gaulle, he was never to stop fighting for France. Refusing defeat, he continued the war from Londres until Victory.
In the British capital, where, with him, the République found refuge, thousands of women and men soon joined him and, by his side, rekindled the rising flame of the French Résistance,” said François de Canson.
ARMY OF SHADOWS At first, it was only a glimmer. The airwaves of the BBC soon set ablaze all the fighters France could count. From the French in Angleterre to those overseas, from the maquisards of Vercors to the resistance fighters of the suburbs, an army of Shadows rose in the “muffled cries of a country in chains” and to the regular rhythm of one voice: that of Général de Gaulle.
This voice carried a hope that no suffering or defeat could alter, giving saboteurs the courage to take action; prisoners enduring torture, the grit to say nothing; and the soldiers of France Libre, the fire of revenge. On behalf of this hope, thousands of them consented to the supreme sacrifice,” the mayor recalled.
“And even when the enemy's bullet pierced their heart, when the hunger of internment drained their strength; when the deportation trains carried them towards certain death; and when the tortures of an enemy without morals ended their lives; this hope was never extinguished. Without the hope of these resistance fighters, France and its spirit would have been lost. Without the voice of Charles de Gaulle, the République would have fallen silent,” the first magistrate continued.
SPIRIT OF RÉSISTANCE “The appeal of June 18 also reminds us of the importance of unity and solidarity in times of crisis. Général de Gaulle was able to gather around him people from all walks of life, transcending divisions, to build a united and determined resistance movement. This is a valuable lesson for us today, as we face our own challenges.
The spirit of resistance, resilience, and solidarity must continue to guide our actions. On this day of commemoration, let us reaffirm our commitment to the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. Let us remember that, as Général de Gaulle said, ‘France has lost a battle, but France has not lost the war.’
This lesson of courage and perseverance remains highly relevant.”
« L'appel du 18 juin nous rappelle également l'importance de l'unité et de la solidarité dans les moments de crise. Le Général de Gaulle a su rassembler autour de lui des personnes de tous horizons, transcendant les divisions, pour construire un mouvement résistant uni et déterminé. C'est un enseignement précieux pour nous aujourd'hui, alors que nous faisons face à nos propres défis. L'esprit de résistance, de résilience et de solidarité doit continuer à guider nos actions. En ce jour de commémoration, réaffirmons notre engagement envers les valeurs de liberté, d'égalité et de fraternité. Rappelons-nous que, comme l'a dit le Général de Gaulle, « la France a perdu une bataille, mais la France n'a pas perdu la guerre ». Cette leçon de courage et de persévérance reste d'une actualité brûlante ». « Mesdames et Messieurs, ensemble, gardons vivant l'esprit du 18 juin. Que cet esprit nous inspire à toujours défendre notre liberté, à lutter contre l'injustice et à œuvrer pour un monde meilleur », a conclu François de Canson.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, together, let us keep the spirit of June 18 alive. May this spirit inspire us to always defend our freedom, to fight against injustice, and to work for a better world,” concluded François de Canson.
Photos Ville de La Londe-les-Maures.