"Lest We Forget"
The 11th of November is always a bank holiday here in France and the Remembrance Services are held on this day irrespective of the day of the week on which it falls. Each year I take my two girls to the local service (which starts at 11h30) as it is so important for them to understand the sacrifice so many made for our freedom all those years ago. The local mayor reads a different patriotic speech each 11th November which is the same across France at every ceremony and of course the same as the one addressed by our dear (and much loved) Monsieur Hollande who does so alongside the tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris.
The weather was kind to us in that it did not rain as it had threatened to, although I always feel that the rain can offer that edge of emotion along with the simple and very moving words “Mort pour la France” following the reading of each name of the fallen from the village. In fact this year rather than the gathered crowd repeating ‘Mort pour La France’ a dedicated council member was given this role. Presumably this year we were not seen as responsible enough to recite the words correctly. Following the reading of the names of the fallen locals, from both World Wars and the conflicts in North Africa, the local infant school sang a lovely rendition of ‘La Marseillaise’ (click here) after which bouquets were laid at the foot of the war memorial. On a side note and having worked for 10 years in France with a proud Scotsman, I was tickled when the mayor thanked ‘Les Anglais’ for participating in the ceremony. It still worries me that many French have not grasped the concept of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales being different countries.
The ceremony was closed and a drink was offered to all the habitants in the village hall where a collection of war memorabilia was on display. As every year a meal was offered to the members of the ‘Anciens Combattants’ where the wine flowed and a tear or two were shed for the ‘Jamais oubliés’
