"I've never seen so many people," says Madeleine, a pensioner from Épinay-sous-Sénart, as she enters the cemetery. This Saturday morning, she attended, as she does every year, the ceremony of November 11. This year's commemoration of the end of the First World War took on a special character locally. Not just because it's the 105th anniversary of the Armistice. But also and above all because the city received the flame of the Nation, that of the unknown soldier, whose 100th anniversary is being celebrated, and because dozens of young people, students from the Jacques Brel primary school or the Collège de La Vallée, were present to participate in the duty of remembrance.
"Only 59 municipalities in France have welcomed the flame of the Nation, says Maurice Passion, national commissioner for the Flame and present in Épinay-sous-Sénart this Saturday morning. I promised the mayor it, it's been a year since I booked it. Because I am very attached to the young people who live in this area, and because they have been involved for several years in remembrance work. »
An initiative led by the municipality, supported by the national education system and local veterans' associations. "Fewer and fewer people attend the commemorations," laments the town hall of Épinay-sous-Sénart. However, we must never forget and pass on the torch. »
" READ ALSOCall of June 18: in Essonne, Liam, 11, is one of the youngest flag bearers of France
It was literally and figuratively so, since on the occasion of the parade through the streets of the city before arriving in front of the stele paying tribute to the victims of the 1914-1918 war, a torch relay was carried out between the mayor and two elected representatives of the municipal youth council and then between the latter and two counterparts from the municipal children's council.
"It's important to be present, otherwise you'll forget," say 12-year-olds
Installed just before the November 11 ceremony, Tahibou, Chloé, Melih and Thierkoro testify to their pride. "It's important to be present, otherwise you forget," explain the four 12-year-olds. Men died for France, we owe them freedom. We must pay tribute to them. Especially since with current events, it is clear that war is not only a thing of the past. »
Épinay-sous-Sénart, November 11, 2023. The commune is one of the 59 communes in France to host the flame of the Nation for the commemoration of the end of the First World War. Many young people participated in the ceremony.
For Damien Allouch, "it is impossible not to mention what is happening in Israel and Gaza" "Finding ourselves today in front of the flame of the Nation must remind us what the Republic is," insists the mayor (PS) of Épinay-sous-Sénart. It is the pillar of all of us, it is the one that must defend us more than ever. Having this flame in front of our eyes is the most beautiful symbol of light and hope we can have. »
The mayor thanked Maurice Passion for the "immense honour" given to the town by welcoming the flame of the Nation. "On November 11, 1940, when the German army occupied Paris and banned all patriotic gatherings, 20-year-olds, who had not experienced the First World War, defied this ban and went to the Arc de Triomphe to pay tribute to the unknown soldier," recalls Damien Allouch. They took great risks, because if they had been arrested, they would have been shot. So, our generations, who have never known war on our soil, have the duty to pay tribute to these people who died for France. We can sometimes have the impression that these commemorations are far away, and over time, they fade from our memories. It doesn't have to be, ever, especially now that we live in a world where all kinds of upheavals are possible. »