Normandy is already shuddering at the evocation of the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, on June 6, 2024. This "round" date promises to be gigantic and memorable for the tribute to Allied soldiers. The deputy of Calvados Christophe Blanchet (MoDem) would like to see more young people. In a letter addressed to Emmanuel Macron, this elected representative of the majority proposes "that June 6, 2024 be sacralized, exceptionally public holiday or that it be the subject of a citizen day in connection with the National Education to allow our youth to participate in the celebrations".
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Contacted, Christophe Blanchet explains that he started from the observation that young people were missing during the ceremonies of the 79th anniversary of the DDay. "There was just going on that day," he says. So, for what will probably be the last highlight with veterans, the member wants to mark the occasion. "We must provoke the encounter to appropriate history. We must prepare now to create bridges with the National Education. For 2024, there should be an exceptional public holiday or a dedicated day, at least in Normandy."
"Bringing History to Life"
With this great anniversary, the opportunity presents itself to "bring history to life. There is nothing stronger, "says the elected official, former military paratrooper. Christophe Blanchet leaves it to the executive to define the best option but takes advantage of this letter to send a message locally "to the region for high schools, to the Department for its colleges and to town halls for schools. It is necessary to make this June 6 a real day of transmission, insists the deputy. Léon Gautier (last survivor of the Kieffer commando, the only French unit landed on June 6. He lives in Ouistreham) often says that he got involved because he had been educated to love France. There must be a transmission of knowledge and values." Beyond June 6, the elected official intends to encourage a broader reflection on the duty of memory, which could be better integrated into the civic education of students.