The town of Frontignan la Peyrade commemorated this Tuesday, November 11th, the 108th anniversary of the 1918 Armistice. On Place Jean-Jaurès, a large assembly of residents, families, young people, elected officials, and associative representatives gathered to pay tribute to all those who died for France.
The ceremony, presided over by Michel Arrouy, mayor of Frontignan la Peyrade and community councilor, began with thanks addressed to « the veterans, the flag bearers, the Souvenir Français represented by Véronique Gautier-Robergeon, the Society of Members of the Legion of Honor, as well as the association of Combatants Algeria Tunisia Morocco. My gratitude also goes to the firefighters and the national and municipal police forces for their presence. »
In front of the war memorial, the ceremony honored the memory of the 181 children of Frontignan la Peyrade who fell for France during the Great War. The mayor emphasized: « Behind each of these names, an interrupted life, a wounded family, a stolen future. Many were barely twenty years old. The duty of remembrance does not end with this ceremony; it only makes sense if it becomes a duty of hope. When war devastates lives, when nationalism fuels hatred and violence threatens, we have a political and human responsibility: to refuse resignation, to defend dialogue, solidarity, and fraternity between peoples. »
He added that « Peace requires courage and action. To be faithful to those who have fallen is to defend the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity of our Republic. It is to act so that our youth can build their future in prosperity. »
Following the ceremony, Véronique Gautier-Robergeon presented a medal and an honorary diploma of flag bearer, with a golden palm, to Mr. Abessine, in recognition of his 42 years of commitment. The town expressed its gratitude for this exemplary fidelity.
Later, at the Town Hall, the meeting with young European volunteers gave concrete form to this fraternity between peoples. The town welcomed Phillipe and Tika, from Poland and Georgia respectively, who are joining Frontignan la Peyrade as part of the European Solidarity Corps. This program, financially supported by the European Union, allows young people to discover another country, acquire skills, and engage in service to others.
Michel Arrouy also stated: « Bringing young people together, allowing them to act together across borders, is also about building peace and giving a future to our duty of remembrance. »
As part of the annual commemorative ceremony of November 11th, made mandatory in all schools this year, the town's middle schools were fully mobilized. The mayor visited the Les Deux Pins middle school, while the first deputy delegate for general administration, Claudie Minguez, went to the Simone-de-Beauvoir middle school. On this occasion, middle school students read letters from soldiers ('poilus') to their classmates, poignant testimonies from soldiers who experienced the horrors of the trenches.
