A journey through history for 85 students
The students discovered the history of the Provence Landings.
On June 10, 85 CM2 students from Jean Moulin school in Bormes-les-Mimosas took part in a memorial excursion to the sites of the 1944 Provence Landings for an emotionally charged day. At the initiative of the local committee of Souvenir Français, the students, accompanied by their teachers and parents, boarded a Corsaire shuttle boat, provided by the Îles d’Or company. This sea outing allowed them to discover Rayol-Canadel beach, an important memorial site for the Commandos d’Afrique. Jean-Pierre Adam, the new president of the local committee, guided the children throughout the cruise, punctuating the trip with historical explanations. He recalled the memories of Pierre Velsch, a veteran of this elite regiment who participated in the liberation of France: 'All of these schoolchildren were able to imagine this beach which, in 1944, was completely free of construction, when the children of France came to liberate the Motherland,' emphasized Jean-Pierre Adam.
TRIBUTE TO THE HEROES
The boat stopped beneath the memorial plaque to the heroes of the liberation, at Cap Nègre. A solemn moment during which the 'Aux Morts' bugle call was played, followed by the national anthem, La Marseillaise. Before returning to the port of Le Lavandou, the students discovered a blockhouse at Pointe du Gouron, which blocked the bay of Bormes. This maritime memorial excursion left a lasting impression on the minds of the young participants. 'A maritime memorial excursion that the students will not forget,' said Jean-Pierre Adam.
Francine Marie (text and photo).