The 2024 Annual Congress was held at the Saint-Lô Theatre on Sunday, June 2.
During the welcome session from 9:00 to 9:30 AM, coffee and pastries were served with live music. The Bellissimo group, a harmony orchestra, performed a beautiful and varied program.
President Serge Néel opened the morning session with a welcome speech. He listed the people who were excused: Mr. Philippe Gosselin, Mr. Hervé Morin, Mr. Quétier (Landing Committee), Mr. Desjardins, and Mr. Barclay (cemeteries). Mrs. Massenet, our senior member, was absent for health reasons. The congress date was set later this year as the Mayor of Saint-Lô wished for the congress to mark the beginning of a period rich in commemorations. The President also thanked Mr. Martin (in charge of communication and events for the city) and the municipal agents for their help. He then spoke about Saint-Lô, the “Capital of Ruins.” Although 80 years may seem distant, memories remain vivid. This congress was also a day of gathering, exchanges, and remembrance. He concluded by thanking all the Board members for their commitment and mentioned that there are currently two co-opted members.
Mrs. Emmanuelle Lejeune, Mayor of Saint-Lô, then took the floor, expressing her gratitude to those present for their continued support of the association. She highlighted the theatre as an emblematic site of the city’s Reconstruction, symbolizing resilience and a commitment to culture for all.
The city’s identity is built upon both the necessity of remembering and the courage to move forward. She introduced the upcoming June 5th ceremony in the presence of President Emmanuel Macron, in memory of civilian victims. Quoting texts by Claude Lavieille and Frank Towers, the association’s founders, she reiterated its mission as an act of gratitude and a call for peace: “Never again.” She also cited Thomas Jefferson: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” emphasizing Saint-Lô’s destiny as a city of memory and peace. Commemorative medals marking the 80th anniversary of the city’s liberation were presented to Serge Néel, George-Pierre Joret, and Kathy Towers, the daughter of one of the founders, who attended the congress.
Mrs. Brigitte Boisgérault, Departmental Councillor, reaffirmed the crucial role of the association’s flower tributes in preserving and passing on this memory. She confirmed the continued support of the Departmental Council.
A minute of silence was observed in honor of the soldiers buried in the two cemeteries. Christophe Lavieille, accompanied by the Bellissimo group, then performed Remember, the association’s anthem.
Administrative Session
A unanimous show of hands approved various agenda items. The moral and activity reports were read, commented on, and voted upon. Highlights included the Memorial Day at Saint-James, where 1,500 students adorned graves with flowers, receiving roses from Les Fleurs de la Mémoire members. The 2023 financial report and the 2024 provisional budget, presented by Mrs. Blot, were unanimously approved. Various subsidies and donations remain essential to the association’s sustainability. Efforts are being made to reduce postal costs, hence the importance of using email. The President noted the absence of secretaries due to health reasons.
The website remains a valuable tool, allowing the online payment of the 250 annual memberships. The average age of new members is 40, and each sponsors one grave. While there are few graves left to be adopted in Colleville, Saint-James is only 65% covered.
Flower placement in Colleville is more challenging due to large crowds and frequently closed sections. It is essential to request an armband at the entrance to access these areas.
The mandates of Mrs. Blot and Mr. Renouf were unanimously renewed.
The President reminded attendees that Remember roses are available for purchase at the congress boutique, supplied by Chastel nurseries in Doué-en-Anjou. Orders can also be placed directly with the nursery in October.
Witness Testimonies
The first testimony was from Mrs. Janine Lebourgeois, who lived on Rue des Noyers in Saint-Lô while her father was a prisoner in Germany. She recounted life under occupation: curfews, German soldiers escorting prisoners, the “grey mice” (female German auxiliaries), and schoolchildren altering the song “Maréchal, nous voilà” to “Vénère tes ânes…” She recalled losing her beloved doll, later found near a fallen German soldier. She also described the bombing of June 6, which claimed 3,700 lives and forced her family into exile, despite German prohibitions. Their journey took them to Quibou, then various towns where they were aided by the Red Cross, finally settling in Moulines near Mortain. She remembered hearing the bombardment of Mortain, liberated on August 3. It took her two years to return to Saint-Lô.
The next poignant testimony came from Mrs. Leduc, a resident of Rémilly-sur-Lozon. She read her account, written especially for her grandchildren, who knew little of her childhood. Her father was executed by the Germans for resistance, her younger brother perished, and she herself endured severe injuries while struggling to survive amid the fighting.
The final testimony was from Michèle Le Tourneur, a longtime member of Les Fleurs de la Mémoire. The association has produced a documentary film, “When the Will to Live is Stronger,” in which she recounts her injuries and commitment to the association, responding to questions from students at Lavalley Middle School in Saint-Lô. In June 1944, at the age of nine, she was severely wounded by an incendiary grenade while hiding in a trench. She was treated by American medics at a military hospital in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, then at Bayeux Hospital. Though she retained her arm, she lived with permanent disabilities and lost an eye. She vividly recalled the German occupation and strongly desired never to experience such oppression again. She repeatedly emphasized: “We were no longer in our own home!” From the beginning, she joined the association, deeply committed to its mission: to honor and never forget those who fell for our freedom by placing flowers on their graves.
Even in 2024, with her memory intact, Michèle remains determined to share her testimony with future generations.
Closing Remarks
The congress ended with an address by Kathy Towers: “We will never forget.” The key message was the importance of passing on memory so that such tragedies are never repeated. She urged everyone to bring children along to participate in the flower tributes and thanked attendees for keeping the memory alive.
The well-appreciated congress lunch took place in the Allende Hall, adjacent to the theatre, with the presence of Mrs. Lejeune and Mrs. Boisgérault.
A brief ceremony was held at 4:00 PM at the Major Howie Roundabout, attended by flag bearers. The President delivered a speech, followed by a minute of silence and the playing of the French and American anthems. Representatives from the City, the Departmental Council, and Les Fleurs de la Mémoire laid wreaths. Schoolchildren from Saint-Jean-d’Elle and Samuel Beckett School in Saint-Lô placed small bouquets. We extend our deepest gratitude to them for their presence.
