The XV du Pacifique is a French military rugby team, whose players all come from the Pacific Islands. Thursday, October 3, they paid tribute to General de Gaulle, in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. They notably began a haka near the Cross of Lorraine.
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The Cross of Lorraine, at the Charles de Gaulle memorial in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises (Haute-Marne) witnessed a new remarkable sequence on Thursday October 3, 2024. The XV of the Pacific, this rugby team made up of military personnel , did a haka, a ritual dance that we have more opportunity to see in France during rugby matches against New Zealand.
“In the Pacific XV, we have our haka, which means landing. We landed in France to go to war, we knew nothing. Each time before a match, we prepare, we transcend ourselves to go to the war to win this match”explains Teriitehau, gendarme in the brigade of Lavaur (Tarn)
After a gala match in Belfort, Teriitehau and his teammates made a point of passing through Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. Their ancestors from the Pacific Battalion were the first to respond to the call of June 18, 1940, a heritage that unites them with General de Gaulle. “This great man, he was a warrior. He was taken prisoner for a few years, he tried to escape several times. And he was always there. So we can say that he is one of the warriors of the Pacific , he was a warrior”ajoute Teriitehau.
The XV of the Pacific participated in a mass, during which some sang for their absent brothers in arms, who remained on alert, before a prayer at the tomb of General de Gaulle. “This selection was officially created in 2007 to carry the memory of our veterans who fought in the First and Second World Wars”explains Chief Warrant Officer Elisio, general manager of the XV of the Pacific. “We have some soldiers who are present, who have been mentally affected. These are loads which are difficult to carry. The gatherings of the XV of the Pacific allow them to rebalance a little and to come and seek strength and energy .”
This unique selection in the world sows a feeling of unity and belonging, everywhere, and now around General de Gaulle.
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