May 8 marks the end of the Second World War in Europe. A historic and very symbolic date for the Union of Combatants and Remembrance, founded exactly a month earlier. This new association of Saint-Jean-le-Blanc took over from the community’s Veterans Association, dissolved on April 5, 2024, its members aging. His goal is to transmit to younger generations the memories of past wars.
An association for the duty of memory
Pass them on in the name of the duty of memory. A moral obligation that is dear to Laurent Pitot, one of the founding members of the association. “The duty to remember is the most important. We transmit information that we have collected. To know where we are going, we cannot forget where we come from. We must transmit the history.” The association intervenes in schools and seeks to set up exhibitions, particularly next year, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. “We are currently working on former deportees or those who died in combat and trying to initiate an exhibition,” continues Laurent Pitot.
“These are direct witnesses who will be able to pass it on to young people”
The collective, however, wants to be part of the continuity of the Veterans association. He still plans to call on them, explains president Thierry Mézaize. “They are direct witnesses who will be able to transmit it to young people. We are just here to make the link between the oldest and the youngest”he explains.
The Union of Combatants and Remembrance currently has a around fifteen members but wishes to expand its ranks. You can contact them by email at [email protected]
