The Town paid a vibrant tribute to the Commandos d'Afrique

The commemoration began with throwing flowers into the sea at the foot of the rocks of Cap Nègre before a military parade of Provence 44. Then, Gil Bernardi welcomed, at the square des Héros, the mayors and elected officials from neighboring towns, elected officials from the Département, numerous personalities, and Lucien Guidicelli, Secretary General of the prefecture.

François Bonin, son of Commandant Bonin and president of the association des Commandos d'Afrique, recalled that this Débarquement de Provence was long unrecognized by the French: "And yet, it greatly contributed to the liberation of France by allowing Allied troops to trap in a pincer movement the enemy forces already attacked on their Western front since June 6, 1944." For his part, Gil Bernardi (recognized writer) added: "Memory and remembrance, engraved in our hearts, make the greatness of these commemorations. On this day of the 80th anniversary of the Débarquement de Provence, they allow us, today, to live free and standing."

The mayor's speech will be published in a more comprehensive manner in the next edition of the Gazette du Var.

Awarding of decoration

Commissioner Lieutenant-Colonel Didier Rouquié was awarded the medal of the Ordre national du mérite by General René Peter, president of the Fédération Nationale André Maginot. A distinction that rewards his service record of a 20-year career in the Armée de l'air, his participation in external operations in Tchad and ex-Yougoslavie, and his career as a magistrate at the Cour régionale des comptes. which holds a special meaning for Le Lavandou with the exploit accomplished by the Commandos d'Afrique in taking the fortifications of Cap Nègre, I want to associate you particularly with this testimony." Finally, Lucien Guidicelli recalled that Le Lavandou was, before the war, a refuge for intellectuals fleeing Nazism: "I am aware of the solemnity of this moment. An intense moment where it is my duty to pay tribute, on behalf of the State, to these combatants who, at the sacrifice of their lives,