Part of the organization committee met at the Town Hall of Lannemezan to put in place the ceremonies of the ceremonies of July 2-3, 2004.
It
is a unique event that will take place South of the Loire river, firstly due in
part by the personalities that are invited, the involvement of the Prefect, of
the armed forces, and the town of Lannemezan. Will be present at these
ceremonies British and Canadian authorities as well as many veterans from
several nations. Their average age will be around 80 but they really want to
come and participate.
Flight
Lieutenant Gary Vickers of the Royal Air Force, Colonel Nabias of the direction
départementale de la délégation militaire des Hautes Pyrénées , Pastor Alain
Gaudet the local Representative of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission ,
Madame Thuron , first assistant of the mayor, Monsieur Jean Bordes a veteran of
the Résistance of Nistos, Colonel Bometon honorary president of the French
veterans of Lannemezan …. All gathered around the table to set in place this
important event.
This
event will recognize the links between the RAF and the French Résistance in the
liberation of Southern France. This expert crew composed of a Canadian pilot
and 6 British crewmen died on the mythical site of the Pic du Douly. The crash
was due to fog… This resupply aircraft was accustomed to flying low level
flights to drop its weapons and supply .
These
ceremonies will take place in the historical setting of the 60th
anniversary of the Normandy landings.
The
first part of this patriotic ceremony will be held at the monument des
résistant at 2130H with British, Canadian and French flags at half-mast.
The
second part of this ceremony will be held the next morning at the Pic du Douly
where these 7 men fell while trying to resupply the Résistance of Nistos.
Ceremonies
will then take place at the Cenotaph in Lannemezan on the place de la
République.
It
will be followed by speeches and a meal with all the participants at the Salle
des Fêtes.
Organizers
expect that more than a thousand will attend at the Pic du Douly and pay their
respects in front of the plaque honoring these 7 men. Flight Lieutenant Gary
Vickers of the RAF, Colonel Nabias of the direction départementale de la
délégation militaire des Hautes Pyrénées, pastor Alain Gaudet the local
representative of the CWGC, Madame Thuron, the first assistant of the mayor,
Monsieur Jean Bordes a veteran of the Maquis of Nistos, Colonel Bometon met
around a table to plan this important event.
The
committee is composed of Mr. ordes, General Rabot President of the souvenir français Haute
Garonne, Mr. Vénel of the Red Cross, J.P. Castéra of the local committee, the
Larregola brothers , Pastor Alain Gaudet, Yves Passerieux (musician), Gabriel
Vaugelade, Marie Claire Thuron the first assistant of the mayor of Lannemezan,
Isabelle Stoklin, Colonel Bometon, the City councils of St Gaudens, Montréjeau
and Lannemezan....They have been working on this project since January .
Madame Pader journalist for the
Nouvelle république , La semaine des Pyrénées
and La Croix du Midi… This article is to appear on Thursday 18 March …
It is also to appear in the Dépêche du Midi in the coming weeks.