Armistice Day

I write this entry on November 11, Armistice Day. Memorial services are held in many countries of the world to mark the ending of World War One. In France today is a Public Holiday, and our village, along with other villages, towns and cities throughout France, ceremonies are held at 11.00, the exact moment when the guns fell silent on Armistice Day in 1918. France today is a Public Holiday, and our village, along with other villages, towns and cities throughout France, ceremonies are held at 11.00, the exact moment when the guns fell silent on Armistice Day in 1918.

In Paris, for the first time since the armistice, a German leader has joined French officials to mark the moment the guns fell silent, with Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy laid a floral wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc Triumph.

Here in our village Whilst it may not have the same high profile as the occasion in Paris, it is still Regarded as an important and a solemn event. We always waiting, believing that it is so important to make sure we pay our respects and remember all Those Who Gave their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. hose who gave their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

David always wears a poppy - this year they were selling them in Pézenas at a cafe called The Tea Shop, run by two English couples. However, all the people from the village who attend proudly wear 'Le Bleuet de France'. This is a small picture of a cornflower, hence the word 'blue' in the name. The cornflower was originally chosen in tribute to young soldiers who, during WW1, wore the same blue coloured uniforms.

They are sold by children, who go around the streets and call at houses with their rolls of flowers and collecting tins. David bought mine when he went to the Boulangerie for the bread this morning - plenty of children going around selling their Bleuets in the village square. The proceeds are to help soldiers wounded in wars.

The ceremony itself is evolving over time to ensure all generations are involved. Whilst children have always attended as groups, two years ago the French government asked all schools to ensure children were involved more. I believe our village it typical and at today's ceremony, not only were the troop of young Pompiers (fire-fighters) present (age between 12 and 15 years), there was a contingent from the primary school just across the road, accompanied by teachers and the Headmaster, and a group of children from the High School. They are asked to participate "lest they forget" at school and also at the ceremony.

At the village war memorial, a young Pompier, together with the President of the Anciens Combattants, Robert Chauvel, who led the ceremony

The students from the High School contributed by taking in turn to read extracts from articles about the war. Under guidance from the English teacher at the college, one young student had even prepared a speech in English. She wore a red poppy, not a Bleuet, and told the people present about last years ceremony in London, on Remembrance Sunday when three of the last surviving veterans of the First World War joined serving soldiers in current conflicts to mark the 90th anniversary of the day peace returned to Europe.

She read their names, and their age at the time of the ceremony; Henry Allingham, aged 112, Harry Patch, aged 110, and Bill Stone, aged 108. Also the forces they represented and to which they belonged during the conflict, the Royal Air Force, the Army and the Royal Navy.
She concluded her speech by saying one of the survivors, all of whom had since died, had said how important it was, never to forget the sacrifices made. It was for that reason she said, that we are here today, and for French people to never forget the sacrifices the English and other nations made for France.

David was quite moved that this young student should stand in front of an assembly and give such a tribute, and to say it in English.

The ceremony ended with what is now usual here in France. Normally there would be music, the playing of " La Marseillaise", the French National Anthem. However, in another move by the Government to encourage people to show more patriotism, to feel good to be French if you like, they have asked people at events not to play music, but to encourage people to sing the National Anthem instead.

This is certainly working, as more and more people sing - and sing loud, in a very patriotic and proud way. David is very impressed with the way the French have taken up this idea of expressing their "Frenchness". He would like to think that would work in the UK, but is doubtful. All the ideas of creating a 'Britishness' usually meets with PC cynicism.

Then after the ceremony, the mayor, as usual here, invites everyone to the Mairie for an aperitif. A chance to meet friends and have a chat.