La Farlède: youth at the heart of the 400th anniversary celebrations
La Farlède honored the young recruits of the Préparation Militaire Marine during the 400th anniversary of the Marine nationale.
On June 20, La Farlède solemnly celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Marine nationale. A ceremony, organized to mark this historic event, highlighted the young trainees of the Préparation Militaire Marine (PMM), symbols of the enduring link between the Army and the Nation.
The gathering took place in the presence of numerous civil and military authorities, including capitaine de corvette Pagnoux, commander of the flotilla 35F, capitaine de corvette Delorme, head of the PMM center, and lieutenant Guezennec, commander of the gendarmerie of La Farlède. Elected officials from neighboring municipalities (Solliès-Pont and Solliès-Toucas), as well as members of the Conseil Municipal des Jeunes, attended this tribute.
History and commitment
In a speech filled with pride, Yves Palmiéri, the mayor of La Farlède, recalled the significance of this anniversary, reflecting on the fundamental role of the military institution: "Depuis sa création en 1626, la Marine nationale incarne l'engagement, la protection de notre pays et le rayonnement de la France sur toutes les mers du monde. Pendant quatre siècles, des générations de marins ont servi avec courage, honneur et sens du devoir."
"Cet héritage prestigieux trouve sa continuité dans l'engagement volontaire de la jeunesse française, qui choisit de découvrir les valeurs et les exigences du monde militaire," he stressed. Indeed, the PMM is a program of excellence for youth.
Addressing the young volunteers, the mayor praised their presence, a symbol of the vitality of the armed forces. He highlighted the virtues transmitted by the Préparation Militaire Marine, a program that goes far beyond simple technical instruction.
"La Préparation Militaire Marine, que vous avez choisie de suivre, représente bien plus qu'une simple formation. Elle est une immersion dans l'esprit maritime et militaire, un apprentissage exigeant mêlant découverte, rigueur, discipline et esprit d'équipage," he insisted.
Army-Nation link
Beyond the skills acquired, the mayor insisted on the civic and fundamental dimension of the commitment of these young people, whom he considers the guarantors of national cohesion. "Vous portez aussi quelque chose de plus précieux encore : le lien entre la jeunesse française et ses armées. Car ce lien Armée-Nation est essentiel. Il est au cœur de notre cohésion, de notre mémoire et de notre avenir. Plus que jamais, nous devons être convaincus de la nécessité d'une armée française forte et d'une Marine qui rayonne," he declared with conviction.
The ceremony concluded with a tribute to the leaders and instructors of the PMM "pour leur engagement et la qualité de leur transmission," as well as to patriotic associations and flag-bearers for their essential work of memory. A vibrant salute was addressed to the PMM EV1 Bertora, to the BAN de Hyères, to the Marine, and to the entire French army.
Photos Alain BLANCHOT.