At the amicale de l'Appel du 18 Juin, Christian Devos passes the torch to Bernard Brétecher

Indeed, after 40 years of community involvement in service of the public and a decade spent anchoring the duty of remembrance in the Var landscape, the president-founder of the heroic amicale de l'Appel du 18 Juin is turning a major page in his personal history.

COMMITMENT For Christian Devos, commitment is not a posture of convenience, but a family heritage, a moral compass passed down from childhood. The son of a Resistance hero, who distinguished himself after the war by locally founding the associations of Combattants Volontaires and Médaillés Militaires, young Christian trod the ground of patriotic assemblies very early on, walking in the footsteps of his elders and absorbing their values of courage and fraternity.

REPUBLICAN IDEAL His journey in service of the republican ideal took shape in 1985, when he joined the ranks of the Institut Charles de Gaulle. Building on this historical culture and this loyalty to the great figures of our country, he took a step forward in 2017 by creating the Hyères amicale de l'Appel du 18 Juin. Since then, he has served as its president with the determination to follow the path traced by his elders and to sanctify the "duty of remembrance" among his fellow citizens.

“I would like to thank everyone who followed me from the very start, as well as our friendly associations for their always constructive collaboration,” confided Christian Devos with deep gratitude. The outgoing president praises the field work carried out in concert with Souvenir Français and its distinguished leaders, Yves Boyer and Colonel Claude Chaton. Together, they developed a remarkable interactive synergy with teachers and high school students, passing the torch of remembrance to younger generations.

A successful transmission whose high point remains, for Christian Devos, the promotion and implementation of the Marche Mémorielle de Mauvanne, the pride and crowning achievement of the end of his term.

Members and supporters can rest assured! Although Christian Devos is stepping down as president of the association after forty years of dedication, his commitment remains complete. He will continue to offer his support to guarantee the longevity and influence of the amicale’s activities.

To succeed him at the head of this institution, the choice was obvious, dictated by respect for shared values and a friendship from the very beginning. Bernard Bretecher is the one taking over the torch of the presidency. The latter also has remembrance in his blood, as his father served as flag-bearer for the Combattants Volontaires.

“The choice of a successor is based on the value of the man, on his loyalty to his struggle, and strict adherence to his oath,” insists Christian Devos. “Our friend Bernard was by my side from the very first day our amicale was created in 2017. He possesses all the human and moral qualities to brilliantly lead our future mission.”

The choice of date to officialize this handover of power is by no means accidental. Passing the torch on June 18 means placing this association act squarely in line with the great historical event of 1940: the appeal of General de Gaulle. The tribute is a vibrant one to the man who knew how to say “No” to renunciation, fatality, and capitulation in order to lead the fight for a free and independent France.

VALUES OF GAULLISM “It is in our DNA,” Christian Devos forcefully recalls. “Our mission is and will remain to pass on the values of Gaullism, values of dignity, sovereignty, and resilience in which many of our fellow citizens recognize themselves today, especially in the difficult and uncertain times we are going through.”

To make this major transition public, Christian Devos chose to address the readers of La Gazette du Var. A carefully considered choice for this publication, which he regards as the faithful and essential reflection of the associative and cultural life of our department. “Your newspaper is a wonderful tool for communication and transmission, which knows how to stay close to the realities of Var associations,” emphasizes the president.

“This medium is absolutely necessary for the volunteers that we are. It constitutes a precious social and cultural link through which you shine daily with kindness and efficiency.”

Through this solemn passing of the torch, the amicale brilliantly demonstrates that while faces may change, the flame of remembrance and Republican values will never be extinguished. • Sam FELLAH – Photos Alain BLANCHOT