Fighting world. Friday October 18, in the morning, the departmental association of ACPG-CATM-Opex of Haute-Marne, supporters and widows, held a meeting of its steering committee in Chaumont.
This biannual meeting brought together 35 cantonal delegates. They first of all had a thought for the comrades who were unable to attend for health reasons. They observed a minute of silence in memory of the deceased. The president, Bernard Benoit revealed that the association brings together more than 1,300 members in Haute-Marne. Dormant, the Neuilly-l'Evêque section is managed by the departmental office.
Following the recent bad weather, the National Federation quickly awarded a check for €1,500 for the benefit of three affected members from the Meures sector and its surroundings. Regarding the support of Onac-VG (National Office for Combatants and Victims of War), it is necessary to develop files for the benefit of members in difficulty to obtain service vouchers or financial aid.
The president expressed his satisfaction with the good understanding between the ACPG-CATM-Opex and the other patriotic associations of the department.
For the ceremonies in the capital, the president underlined that if the rental of coaches proves expensive, transport by rail becomes complicated by the obligation to reserve seats in the TER, but also by having to transport the flags .
The contribution increases
The National Federation increases the contribution by €2. However, the departmental office decided to take responsibility for this increase. Bernard Benoit affirmed that veterans have still not been decorated, whether with the Combatant's Cross, the National Defense Medal, the Nation's Recognition Medal or commemorative decorations. It also happens that some have not yet obtained the fighter's card, which deprives them of the right to compensation. The vigilance of section presidents must prevail. If necessary, military records should be consulted to determine service records.
Everyone, member or not of the association, widow of a fighter, can obtain information on this subject from the section presidents, or directly from the departmental office: Place des Halles in Chaumont, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. . Presidents must provide a list of persons nominated for federal decorations. The departmental treasurer, René Depierre, communicated a positive financial report as of September 30, 2024.
2025 projects
The departmental congress will take place on May 18, in Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises. On this occasion, the association will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the installation of an ACPG-CATM plaque in this place, as well as the 80th anniversary of the Great Return of the Prisoners of War, the very people who founded the National Federation of ACPG in 1945. The flag festival will take place in Chevillon on September 6.
Bernard Benoit closed the session after reading a very moving letter of thanks, written by the daughter of a fighter and addressed to the standard bearers and veterans who attended her father's funeral. He suggested sending it by email to all associations that have flag bearers.
From our correspondent
Patrick Quercy
