To commemorate the 79th anniversary of the landing of Allied troops on the coasts of Provence, the ambassador of the United States of America to France, Denise Campbell Bauer, made the trip on Tuesday to a highly symbolic place: the necropolis of Boulouris . It was there that a solemn ceremony was held, with the aim of paying homage to these soldiers of the 36th Infantry Division of Texas in the United States who died in combat.
Another American was present: Valerie Prehoda, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel and commander of the American Legion. “I represent American veterans in particular. The landing in Provence is much less famous than that in Normandy, because fewer soldiers were landed. But it is just as important in the battle for freedom waged by the Allied forces. very important to be present here, to pay tribute to these American and French soldiers who have disappeared.”
Immersion among American troops
Alain, a member of the Association of the 36th Texas Infantry Division at Dramont, was present with his own Jeep Willys, named after its designer. (Photos Florian Escoffier).
(Photos Florian Escoffier).
In a second step, the tribute moved to the Dramont esplanade, an equally symbolic place since it is located opposite the beach which saw the landing of American troops on August 15, 1944. A site also chosen for the space that he offers, making it possible to reconstitute a small piece of history. It was thus possible to walk among American soldiers, in particular, but also many period vehicles of the American army.
Among the soldiers from across the Atlantic present was also Captain Thomas Rayermann, a military engineer, member of the 36th Infantry Division of the United States of America and National Guard of the Texas Army. For him too, crossing the ocean is nothing compared to what his compatriots have accomplished in the past. “I have come to honor the memory of the 36th Infantry Division of Texas, which landed on this Dramont beach 79 years ago now and when the south of France was under Nazi occupation, at this precise moment Of the history.”
A speech tinged with solemnity which contrasts with the atmosphere on the spot, where dozens of vintage vehicles, khaki green, whether old Jeeps or tanks, were installed. A real immersion nearly 80 years earlier, for these hundreds of people who came out of passion or simple curiosity.
Paolo and Anne, on vacation with their three children, are regulars. These Lille residents were already on vacation in the city of the Archangel for the 75th anniversary. “We had planned to come. Firstly because we like all the folklore around. But also so that our children, who are already studying history for the older ones, understand a little better what what happened. This immersion gives concrete form to what they learn at school. And then we have grandparents who fought in the war. We also want to understand.”
“Admiring what these young soldiers have done”
At 20, Adrien, a history buff, came with his own uniform. (Photos Florian Escoffier).
Between two photos, Alain, owner of a Jeep Willys on display, is in his element. “I am passionate about this time and in admiration of what all these young American soldiers have done. What courage and what heroism. When President Eisenhower addressed them at the moment of mobilizing troops, he asked them to leave liberating Europe from Nazism while recognizing that many would not return. And they went anyway. I am very grateful to them, especially as a former soldier. It is important not to forget them.
The commemorations continue today (with a ceremony at 11 a.m. organized by the French Remembrance Committee in front of the stele of General de Lattre de Tassigny), then Saturday, at 11:30 a.m. at the Boulouris necropolis (with a tribute to the soldiers of the 1st DFL )
(Photos Florian Escoffier).
2023-08-15 19:55:00
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