Cadets of the gendarmerie and SNU youth united to celebrate memory

On this November 1, while the cemeteries of the Var were adorned with flowers, a breath of youth and respect swept through the aisles. Among the families gathered to pay their respects, residents caught sight of the straight and proud silhouettes of the cadets of the gendarmerie of the Var, accompanied by young volunteers of the Service National Universel (SNU) and their supervisors. All were gathered around the same ideal, which is to honor the memory of those who are no longer here.

RESPECT

Under a heavy sky, the ceremonies of remembrance took on a special resonance. The young people, flags in hand, marched alongside veterans and representatives of the Souvenir Français in a silence filled with respect. Their steps were measured, their gestures precise, their expressions serious yet proud. One could read on their faces the awareness of an important moment, a passing of the torch between generations. “Carrying the flag is more than a symbol. It is a responsibility, an honor. We represent the memory of all those who gave their lives for France,” confided a young cadet, still moved after the ceremony. In several municipalities of the department (Hyères, Pierrefeu-du-Var) these young flag-bearers took part in wreath-layings, readings of texts, and moments of contemplation. “The elders, touched by the involvement of these young people, praised their presence and their exemplary conduct. Many saw in it a sign of hope, that of a youth that does not turn its back on history, but on the contrary chooses to keep it alive,” says Adjudant Nicolas Moulin, deputy head of the Service Réserve Jeunesse and departmental coordinator for recruitment. The Souvenir Français, faithful to its mission of transmission, was able to build this bridge between memory and youth. Thanks to its action, the cadets and the youth of the SNU discovered the human dimension of these ceremonies. Behind every name engraved on the monuments, a story, a destiny, a commitment. “These moments remind us that memory is shared, it is passed on, it is lived,” explains Mr. Moulin. At the end of the ceremonies, a convivial moment brought the participants together. “The exchanges between generations were warm, filled with mutual respect. We spoke of history, of values, but also of the future. Because beyond the uniforms and flags, it was indeed the spirit of solidarity and citizenship that animated these young people from the Var. This November 1, they did not only honor the dead. They reminded everyone that memory is alive as long as it is carried with conviction,” concludes Nicolas Moulin.