the essential
The French Remembrance Association launches its annual quest to save the graves of combatants. It mobilizes citizens and volunteers in memory of the “Dead for France” in Tarn-et-Garonne and beyond.
Le Souvenir français, founded in 1887 and recognized as being of public utility in 1906, aims to honor the memory of all those who fell for France, French or foreigners. He is launching his 106th annual quest “Together, let’s save the graves of the “Died for France” fighters.
Serge Barcellini, general president of French Souvenir, explained the association's approach as follows: “Graves of “Dead for France” fighters disappear every day in our municipal cemeteries. These graves are those of fighters whose bodies have been returned to their families after each of the major conflicts in which France participated (1914-1918; 1939-1945; Indochina; Algeria; Opex).”
When the concession expires, the grave is removed and the remains of the fighter are transferred to an anonymous ossuary. The disappearance of these graves constitutes a breach of the duty of memory. By their presence in municipal cemeteries, these tombs participate in the intersection of a triple memory: family, local and national.
Annual collection until November 3
From October 30 to November 3, French Remembrance volunteers will solicit the generosity of citizens at the cemetery gates to collect funds to continue their work of duty of remembrance.
In Tarn-et-Garonne, Joseph Crocquet, new departmental delegate, mobilized his members throughout the department.
“We must save these tombs and restore a destiny to the “Dead for France” who are buried there. Le Souvenir français is committed to this. To meet this challenge, it needs all citizens, it needs you! “
The new departmental delegate is not unknown to all members because he has also been a delegate of the Montech committee since 2011.
Representative of French Remembrance, “Jo” Crocquet participates in commemoration ceremonies throughout its territory and in other municipalities in the department.
Search for abandoned graves
Since his arrival in the association, he has been constantly involved in the research and renovation of abandoned tombs for the memory of the dead for France. “These missions are essential,” confides “Jo,” “to never forget the past but also to be turned toward the future by transmitting it to young people.”
The last two projects carried out by Souvenir français in the department are, on the one hand, the restoration of the Lacourt-Saint-Pierre war memorial and the rehabilitation of its surroundings and, on the other hand, the creation of a square of French Remembrance in Montech with a stele and an educational desk, recently inaugurated in the presence of the civil and military authorities of the department.
“As general delegate,” continues Joseph Crocquet, “my objective is to engage my delegation in preserving the duty of memory among younger generations, participation in local demonstrations and the maintenance of the stelae of citizens who died for France.”
Those who have not met the members of Souvenir français this weekend can still support the association by contacting the general delegate of Tarn-et-Garonne on 06 72 04 90 75 or by email: [email protected] or joseph [email protected]
