11 November 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr. Minister of the Armed Forces,
Mr. Army General, Grand Chancellor of the National Order of the Lion,
Mr. Army General, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces,
Mr. Army General, High Commander of the National Gendarmerie and Director of Military Justice,
Mr. Rear Admiral, Chief of the Private Staff,
Mr. Director of the National Office for Veterans and War Victims,
Madam Regional Councilor of \u00cele-de-France, President of the Association for the Memory and History of Senegalese Tirailleurs,
Dear compatriot veterans,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First of all, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you and offer my best wishes for your health and well-being. I hope you had a pleasant flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By receiving you upon your return, I wanted to honor you on behalf of the Nation and pay tribute to all your fellow soldiers, both living and deceased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This ceremony is, therefore, an act of remembrance, recognizing the immense sacrifices made by all our veterans in the defense of freedom. It also serves as a reminder of the long history of injustices against the tirailleurs<\/em> (Senegalese soldiers).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amid the sounds of bombs and in foreign lands, the tirailleurs<\/em> fought in all the battles, on all the fronts, in all the trenches. They were there during the Battle of the Marshes of Saint Gond, the battles of Picardy and Artois. They fought in the battles of Champagne and Perpignan, the Dardanelles, and Verdun. They were on the fronts of the Somme, Argonne, Normandy, the Chemin des Dames, Toulon, Dunkirk, Saint Michel, and many others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n General De Gaulle himself acknowledged this, saying, “In those terrible years, Africa became the refuge of our honor and our independence.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, alongside their European brothers-in-arms, the tirailleurs<\/em> valiantly helped to write the glorious history of Liberation, through blood, sweat, and tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We pay tribute to all veterans, from Africa, Europe, and all continents, for the sacrifices they made. However, out of a duty to remember, we cannot forget the injustices committed against our tirailleurs<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot forget the unequal pensions, the slow or blocked promotions, being placed under the command of less-ranked metropolitan officers, the inability to command non-indigenous troops, the segregated mess halls, the separate voyages on different ships, and other forms of discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot forget the horror of the summary executions at the Thiaroye Camp on December 1, 1944. Sadly, this too is part of the history of the tirailleurs<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling history in its entirety, without omission or resentment, is to remind us that the values of peace, freedom, and equal dignity are universal because they are tied to human nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Thus, dear veterans, in welcoming you today, we also celebrate a long-overdue justice, as you can now finally live at home with your families and continue receiving your full pensions. This is only just.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I commend this measure by the French authorities, which aligns with the course of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I would also like to pay tribute to you, Madam A\u00efssata Seck, Regional Councilor of \u00cele-de-France and President of the Association for the Memory and History of Senegalese Tirailleurs<\/em>, for the tireless fight you continue to lead in defense of the rights of our veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I recall that thanks to your decisive efforts, the tirailleurs<\/em> were able to obtain French nationality. For all these reasons, you deserve our gratitude and the distinction you have received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The history of war is never ordinary. It is rarely told in full. Though we may know part of it, we did not live it ourselves, but it lives on in us through the act of remembrance. It belongs to those who endured it, risking their lives and their freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is why we are so proud of you, dear veterans. Thank you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 11 novembre 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monsieur le Ministre des Forces Arm\u00e9es, Monsieur le G\u00e9n\u00e9ral de corps d\u2019arm\u00e9e, Grand Chancelier de l\u2019Ordre national du Lion,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Monsieur le G\u00e9n\u00e9ral de corps d\u2019arm\u00e9e, Chef d\u2019\u00e9tat-major g\u00e9n\u00e9ral des Arm\u00e9es,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Monsieur le G\u00e9n\u00e9ral de corps d\u2019arm\u00e9e, Haut Commandant de la Gendarmerie nationale et Directeur de la justice militaire,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Monsieur le Contre-Amiral, Chef d\u2019Etat-major particulier, <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Monsieur le Directeur de l\u2019Office national des anciens combattants et victimes de guerre, <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Madame la Conseill\u00e8re r\u00e9gionale Ile de-France, Pr\u00e9sidente de l\u2019Association pour la M\u00e9moire et l\u2019histoire des tirailleurs s\u00e9n\u00e9galais, Chers compatriotes anciens combattants<\/strong>,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Je tiens d\u2019abord \u00e0 vous souhaiter la bienvenue et \u00e0 vous adresser mes meilleurs v\u0153ux de bonne sant\u00e9 et de bien-\u00eatre. J\u2019esp\u00e8re que vous avez fait un bon vol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n En vous recevant d\u00e8s votre retour, j\u2019ai tenu \u00e0 vous honorer au nom de la Nation, et \u00e0 rendre hommage \u00e0 tous vos fr\u00e8res d\u2019armes, vivants et d\u00e9funts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cette c\u00e9r\u00e9monie est donc un exercice de m\u00e9moire, en reconnaissance des sacrifices immenses de tous nos anciens combattants pour la d\u00e9fense de la libert\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elle est aussi un rappel de la longue s\u00e9rie d\u2019injustices contre les tirailleurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sous les fracas des bombes et dans des paysages \u00e9trangers, les tirailleurs ont \u00e9t\u00e9 de tous les combats, de tous les fronts, de toutes les tranch\u00e9es. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ils \u00e9taient de la bataille des mar\u00e9es de Saint Gond<\/strong>, de celles de Picardie et d\u2019Artois<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ils \u00e9taient des combats de Champagne et de Perpignan, <\/strong>des Dardanelles<\/strong> et de Verdun.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ils \u00e9taient <\/strong>aux fronts <\/strong>de la Somme,<\/strong> d\u2019Argonne<\/strong>, de Normandie<\/strong>, du Chemin des Dames<\/strong>, de Toulon<\/strong>, de Dunkerque<\/strong>, de Saint Michel<\/strong> et j\u2019en passe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Le G\u00e9n\u00e9ral De Gaulle ne s\u2019y est pas tromp\u00e9 en disant, je cite : \u00ab <\/em>qu\u2019en ces ann\u00e9es<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>terribles, l\u2019Afrique fait le refuge de notre honneur et de notre ind\u00e9pendance <\/em><\/strong>\u00bb<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aux c\u00f4t\u00e9s de leurs fr\u00e8res d\u2019armes europ\u00e9ens, les tirailleurs ont en effet vaillamment contribu\u00e9 \u00e0 \u00e9crire, dans le sang, la sueur et les larmes, la glorieuse histoire de la Lib\u00e9ration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nous rendons hommage \u00e0 tous les anciens combattants, d\u2019Afrique, d\u2019Europe et de tous les continents<\/strong>, pour les sacrifices consentis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mais par devoir de m\u00e9moire, nous ne pouvons oublier les injustices \u00e0 l\u2019encontre de nos tirailleurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nous ne pouvons oublier les pensions in\u00e9gales, les avancements lents et bloqu\u00e9s, le placement sous les ordres de m\u00e9tropolitains moins grad\u00e9s, l\u2019impossibilit\u00e9 de commander des troupes non indig\u00e8nes, les mess s\u00e9par\u00e9s, les voyages sur des bateaux diff\u00e9rents, entre autres discriminations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nous ne pouvons oublier l\u2019horreur des ex\u00e9cutions sommaires au Camp de Thiaroye<\/strong>, le 1e<\/sup> d\u00e9cembre 1944. <\/p>\n\n\n\n H\u00e9las, c\u2019est cela aussi l\u2019histoire des tirailleurs\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rappeler l\u2019histoire, toute l\u2019histoire, sans trou de m\u00e9moire et sans ressentiment, c\u2019est rappeler que les valeurs de paix, de libert\u00e9 et d\u2019\u00e9gale dignit\u00e9 sont d\u2019essence universelle, parce qu\u2019elles sont attach\u00e9es \u00e0 nature humaine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ainsi, chers anciens combattants, en vous souhaitant la bienvenue, nous c\u00e9l\u00e9brons aujourd\u2019hui une injustice r\u00e9par\u00e9e, parce que vous pouvez, enfin, vivre chez vous en famille, et continuer de percevoir l\u2019int\u00e9gralit\u00e9 de vos pensions. Ce n\u2019est que justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Je salue cette mesure des autorit\u00e9s fran\u00e7aises qui va dans le sens de l\u2019histoire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Je tiens, \u00e9galement, \u00e0 vous rendre hommage, Madame A\u00efssata Seck, Conseill\u00e8re r\u00e9gionale Ile de-France et Pr\u00e9sidente de l\u2019Association pour la M\u00e9moire et l\u2019histoire des tirailleurs s\u00e9n\u00e9galais, <\/strong>pour le combat inlassable que vous <\/strong>continuez de mener pour la d\u00e9fense des droits de nos anciens combattants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Je rappelle que c\u2019est gr\u00e2ce \u00e0 votre contribution d\u00e9cisive que les tirailleurs ont pu obtenir la nationalit\u00e9 fran\u00e7aise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pour toutes ces raisons, vous m\u00e9ritez notre reconnaissance et la distinction qui vous a \u00e9t\u00e9 d\u00e9cern\u00e9e.<\/p>\n\n\n\n L\u2019histoire de la guerre n\u2019est jamais ordinaire. Elle est rarement dite de fa\u00e7on int\u00e9grale. Si nous en connaissons un bout, nous ne l\u2019avons pas v\u00e9cue, mais elle vit en nous par l\u2019exercice de m\u00e9moire ; et elle appartient \u00e0 ceux qui l\u2019ont faite, au p\u00e9ril de leur vie et de leur libert\u00e9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n C\u2019est pourquoi nous sommes si fiers de vous, chers anciens combattants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Je vous salue avec respect et affection et vous souhaite bon retour dans vos foyers respectifs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Je vous remercie. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 11 November 2022 Mr. Minister of the Armed Forces,Mr. Army General, Grand Chancellor of the National Order of the Lion,Mr. Army General, Chief of the General Staff of\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3006,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[56,8,46],"tags":[],"msf_theme":[67],"msf_place":[79],"class_list":["post-3004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured-publications","category-publications","category-speeches","msf_theme-peace","msf_place-senegal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3004"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3004\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3005,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3004\/revisions\/3005"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3004"},{"taxonomy":"msf_theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msf_theme?post=3004"},{"taxonomy":"msf_place","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dev.mackysallfoundation.org\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msf_place?post=3004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
I salute you with respect and affection and wish you a safe return to your respective homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nC\u00e9r\u00e9monie de decoration d’anciens combattants\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n