In Mende, four decorations on the occasion of the 79th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany

Une cérémonie suivie et d'envergure pour les 79 ans de la victoire sur l'Allemagne nazie. Midi Libre – Célian Guignard

Une cérémonie patriotique s’est tenue sur la place du Foirail, ce mercredi 8 mai 2024, en présence des autorités civiles et militaires de Lozère.

For the 79th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany, which capitulated on May 8, 1945, marking the end of the fighting in Europe, the civil and military authorities of Lozère met in particular on the square du Foirail, in Mende, this Wednesday, May 8, 2024. On this occasion and in front of a large audience, four decorations were awarded.

Colonel Cédric Michel, commander of the departmental gendarmerie group, presented the military medal to majors Patrick Durand and Patrice Meyer, as well as the medal of the National Order of Merit at the rank of knight to Captain Patrick Quintin. Lieutenant-Colonel Laurence Bouvier, departmental military delegate, presented the military medal to Chief Warrant Officer Nicolas Garcia.

Message from the ministers

Among the speeches, there was that of the prefect Philippe Castanet. The latter read the message from Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces, and from Patricia Mirallès, Secretary of State to the Minister of the Armed Forces, in charge of Veterans and Memory. "79 years ago, in Berlin, France overcame the strange defeat of May 1940 and the spirit of collaboration. On May 8, 1945, Nazi Germany capitulated, the clash of arms fell silent in Europe […]. From the war, from May 8, 1945, we kept a memory. This was nourished by the history of the struggles of Free France and the Resistance as well as that of deportation and collaboration. This memory is our heritage as much as a lesson. For 79 years, we have not forgotten it. Forever, it animates us."

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