An exemplary commitment in service of combatant memory

Committed for more than thirty years to the preservation and transmission of the history of the airship and its crew, it recently held its general assembly in Pierrefeu-du-Var. Under the presidency of Daniel Baert, the event gathered members, local elected officials, and representatives from the community life, marking a milestone in the life of this essential institution of local duty of remembrance. Before an attentive audience, the president highlighted the importance of the actions carried out over the past year. He recalled how closely the history of the Dixmude airship is linked to that of the municipality, and praised the unwavering commitment of his team, always present during patriotic ceremonies and cultural transmission initiatives.

DESERVED TRIBUTE

The report on activities for the year 2025 was presented by the secretary, Françoise Thomas, who detailed the actions and events organized by the association. Her presentation was punctuated by the moving reading of a poem, adding a solemn touch to this retrospective moment. The financial report, presented by the treasurer Alain Maurin, honored his exceptional dedication. Indeed, M. Maurin was congratulated for his thirty years of commitment as a flag-bearer within multiple patriotic and memorial associations, including Les Amis du Dixmude. An exemplary commitment in service of combatant memory. Then, Daniel Baert informed the audience that Mme Conil, daughter of Etienne Ducreux, one of the founding fathers of the association, decided to entrust Les Amis du Dixmude with a considerable amount of historical documentation. This collection of documents, patiently gathered by her father over the years, constitutes an invaluable source of information that substantially enriches the historical collection of the association. With a view to sharing and promoting it, this collection has been made available to the heritage space of the Base d'Aéronautique Navale (BAN) de Hyères, where a room is dedicated to the airship and its tragically lost crew. Strong with this heritage, the association looks ahead with ambition. Several structuring projects were announced, with an emphasis on intergenerational transmission. Educational visits will thus be organized for school children in order to raise awareness among the youngest about this chapter of local history and the importance of the duty of remembrance. At the same time, Les Amis will offer historical presentations at the foot of the monument in Pierrefeu-du-Var, providing residents and visitors with keys to understanding the events that shaped the municipality. Finally, to reach an even wider public, a brochure, produced in partnership with the Office de tourisme intercommunal, will promote this unique memorial heritage and publicize the association's actions. • du Dixmude