Tribute to the 2nd Armored Division in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville

Tribute to the 2nd Armored Division in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville

Ceremony in tribute to the 2nd DB at the Leclerc monument in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville on August 1, 2016. Photo credit : C. Mary

August 1, 2016: Tribute to General Leclerc’s 2nd DB
Source: Ouest-France
Author: –

There were only a handful of veterans present Sunday morning at the Leclerc monument (Saint-Martin-de-Varreville, editor’s note) for the 72nd anniversary of the landing on Normandy soil on August 1, 1944, of General Leclerc’s legendary 2nd French Armored Division. The ceremony was marred by the passing of several veterans and that of Charles Leclerc of Hautecloque, « whom we already miss, » emphasized Mayor Gyslène Lebarbenchon. « He supported me through several difficult times. He encouraged my idea of ​​markers along the Leclerc route. Today, 90 municipalities have a marker of the 2nd Armored Division. »

But in these times troubled by the attacks, the mayor’s speech also addressed values. « The horror overwhelms us. Every year, veterans remind us that General Leclerc taught them tolerance. » What have we done with this heritage? Everyone prays to their own god, but let’s do it all together. Let’s hold on to these values; they are ours. The terrorists will not win.

Cérémonie en hommage à la 2e DB au monument Leclerc à Saint-Martin-de-Varreville le 1er août 2016. Crédit photo : C. Mary