A living memory in service of the Nation
Open to all volunteers responsible for transmitting memory, the Souvenir Français of Var held its departmental congress on October 11 in Le Muy.
On this occasion, it brought together the 56 local committees, represented by their presidents and board members. The congress was expected to gather 231 participants and 46 flags. As of January 1, 2024, the Souvenir Français of Var had 2,678 active members and 3,692 affiliated individuals, making a total of 6,369 members or affiliates. It is present in 84 of the 153 municipalities of Var. Since its creation in 1887, the Souvenir Français has established itself as an essential actor in collective memory, gathering more than 10 million French people over the decades. Through its actions, the Souvenir Français embodies a living and collective memory, an unbreakable bond between past and present, and a valuable tool for the education of future generations. In 2018, this association had 200,000 members, including 100,000 direct members and as many associates spread across 1,600 local committees. These men and women, driven by a common passion, work tirelessly to keep the memory of French combatants alive.
DIED FOR FRANCE
The Souvenir Français has its origins in the context of the War of 1870, marked by the exodus of Alsatians and Mosellans fleeing the German occupation. It was an Alsatian who had the idea of founding the Souvenir Français, whose initial mission was to preserve the memory of soldiers who fell for their homeland. In 1906, the association was declared of public utility and, as of 1915, the "Died for France" designation was created, testifying to an official commitment by the State to the families of the deceased. The mission of the Souvenir Français is to maintain graves and preserve the memory of those who died for France. In Var, the departmental general delegate is Vincent Dujarric de Lagarde. The organization manages more than 900 family graves and 55 monuments, and organizes commemorations and official ceremonies throughout the year. However, it is not limited to the maintenance of graves. In Var, for example, 54 committees and 30 local sections are active. Thanks to them, the Souvenir Français supports educational initiatives such as school trips to memorial sites, such as Auschwitz and the Landing beaches.
EDUCATION
In 2023, more than 16,000 children benefited from these trips, thereby strengthening their knowledge of history. Students are also involved in memorial projects, fostering the transmission of a rich and complex history. The association is involved with the 8 groups of 30 Cadets de la Défense, middle school students in their final year, in the department alongside the various regiments of Var and the Éducation nationale, and with high school students, notably through the Service National Universel (SNU), with targeted interventions to raise awareness among young people about the importance of memory and civic values. Regarding the tireless action of the Souvenir Français, Elie di Russo, honorary deputy mayor of the city of Hyères, highlights:
Vincent Dujarric de Lagarde deserves all our recognition and support for the work he carries out within the framework of the Souvenir Français with young people in the national service for the duty of memory. The Souvenir Français also distinguishes itself through its commitment to young people, by offering them general interest missions
In the coming months, the Souvenir Français will reach out to schools in the Toulon Academy to support them in their memorial projects. An essential work of memory to ensure that the sacrifice of previous generations is never forgotten.
Laurette PARAY – Photo Alain BLANCHOT.