A tribute to the liberators of Provence
For the 81st anniversary of the Débarquement de Provence, ceremonies in Le Lavandou and Bormes-les-Mimosas paid a vibrant tribute to the Commandos.
August 15 and 17, 1944, are two dates steeped in memory, recalling the commitment of these elite men who shaped the history of our freedom 81 years ago.
On August 15 in Le Lavandou, Gil Bernardi brought these heroes back to life: "Of course we miss them – terribly. And even more so in these moments of commemoration and remembrance. These endearing men, full of simplicity, fragility and self-derision, of kindness and anger, sometimes—just men, really.
These soldiers of bravery and legend. Men, real men! Elite soldiers, liberators. Great men, in short.
All those whom we have had the honor and privilege of standing alongside, over these August 15ths of heartfelt steps, through the passage of time; like all those combatants whose glorious names we have listed, to the point of feeling we knew and admired them. And whose immense stature we cannot, and will not, see cheapened over the years, or faded by the outrages and weaknesses of time. Forgotten.
They are part of our lives. They live on in us. Nothing can oppose it – so closely is their story linked to ours, and their names have taken root in this land liberated from the occupier" (...)
VIGILANCE On August 17 in Bormes-les-Mimosas, the commemorations continued in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, President of the Republic, his wife Brigitte, Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces, Simon Babre, Prefect of Var, and numerous elected officials and dignitaries. Not forgetting the great Borméens family who also paid tribute to all the combatants of the liberation of Provence and, particularly, to the actions of the Commandos d'Afrique.
EMMANUEL MACRON: Thus, François Arizzi recalled the journey of the Commandos d'Afrique who drove the invader out of the life of the Borméens at the time: "Who could imagine, seeing our beautiful village, that in 1944, it had a completely different face? When we look towards the Grand Hôtel Eden Rose overlooking the village, we see a luxury holiday destination. Observing it, it seems difficult to imagine that in 1944, the Kommandantur was installed there, with the Nazi flag, the infamous swastika, flying from its pediment.
When a little higher up, we contemplate the chapel of Notre Dame de Constance and its unique panorama, it is difficult to imagine that in 1944, this area was occupied by German troops and their Armenian auxiliaries.
With the years, the memory of all the atrocities, of all the horrors that marked this conflict, is dissolving in our collective memory. Yet, we must remain highly vigilant. We have known 80 years without war on our soil, let us ensure that this continues," concluded the mayor.
"WAR IS AT OUR DOOR" Emmanuel Macron, adapting the history of the landing to current events, declared: "We must remember what made our freedom possible. We must face our destiny. War is returning to Europe.
Let us not doze off; if we want to be free, let us never forget the sacrifices behind this freedom."
Francine MARIE - Photos by Sylvie PINTO and Morgane AUFFREY.