François de Canson: 'The Harkis deserve that France honors their memory'
On September 25, the forecourt of the Hôtel de Ville was filled with emotion.
Élus, associations, familles et citoyens s'étaient réunis pour la traditionnelle journée nationale d’hommage aux Harkis, en présence de François de Canson, maire et vice-président de la Région. Sous un ciel limpide, le drapeau français flottant au vent, l’édile a livré un discours vibrant, empreint de gravité et de reconnaissance : « Les Harkis méritent que la France entretienne leur souvenir et honore leur mémoire pour le choix déterminant qu’ils ont fait de servir, avec fidélité, avec loyauté, avec honneur, notre pays, leur pays, leur pays de cœur », a déclaré François de Canson. François de Canson a rappelé le sacrifice immense consenti par ces 60 000 combattants engagés aux côtés de l’Armée française pendant la guerre d’Algérie : « Ce drapeau qui flotte sur nos monuments est imprégné du sang des Harkis. Ce sang participe à l’histoire de notre nation, à sa grandeur ». Son discours a aussi mis en lumière le long chemin de reconnaissance entrepris par l’État : du statut d’anciens combattants en 1974, à la journée nationale créée par Jacques Chirac en 2003, jusqu’à la loi de février 2022 ouvrant un droit à réparation pour les familles ayant vécu dans les camps de transit et hameaux de forestage.
Elected officials, associations, families and citizens gathered for the traditional national day of tribute to the Harkis, in the presence of François de Canson, mayor and vice-president of the Région.
In the presence of: Under a clear sky, the French flag fluttering in the wind, the mayor delivered a vibrant speech, filled with gravity and gratitude: 'The Harkis deserve that France preserves their memory and honors their remembrance for the decisive choice they made to serve, with fidelity, with loyalty, with honor, our country, their country, their country of heart,' declared François de Canson. François de Canson recalled the immense sacrifice made by these 60,000 fighters committed alongside the Armée française during the Algérie war: 'This flag flying over our monuments is soaked in the blood of the Harkis. This blood is part of our nation's history, of its greatness.'
His speech also highlighted the long path of recognition undertaken by the State: from the status of veterans in 1974, to the national day created by Jacques Chirac in 2003, to the law of February 2022 opening a right to reparation for families who lived in transit camps and forestry hamlets.
SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION The mayor also spoke of the major role played by La Londe-les-Maures in welcoming the 45 families who arrived in 1963: 'Thanks to François de Leusse and Philippe de Canson, who understood, very early on, the need for rapid and fraternal integration, our municipality was able to avoid isolation and stigmatization. Here, the Harkis were able to take root, rebuild their lives, raise their children and contribute, with courage and pride, to the development of our town.'
The elected official called for passing this memory on to younger generations: 'More than ever, we must continue this duty of memory. For by honoring the Harkis, we honor France itself: a France true to its word, respectful of those who fought for it, which does not deny its history but looks it in the face.'
The ceremony concluded with the laying of wreaths and a moment of contemplation, in a solemn silence. 'Honor to the Harkis, honor to their families, honor to those who went as far as the supreme sacrifice for France,' concluded François de Canson, his eyes turned towards the war memorial.
• PLEASE NOTE... Simon BABRE, prefect of Var, civil and military authorities, Yves BOYER, president of Souvenir Français de La Londe, elected members of the Conseil municipal, the Priest.
François de Canson : « Les Harkis méritent que la France honore leur mémoire »
Photos Alain BLANCHOT.