On Sunday, April 19, 2026, Les Fleurs de la Mémoire held its annual general meeting in Coutances during a congress marking the association’s 25th anniversary. Through tributes, reflections on remembrance, and discussions about the return of prisoners of war after World War II, the event highlighted the importance of preserving memory and passing history on to younger generations.
A General Assembly Focused on Remembrance
Led by President Serge Néel, many institutional representatives, members, and guests attended the 2026 annual congress, including local elected officials, representatives of the Normandy Region and the Manche Department, members of the board of directors, and Kathy Towers, daughter of American veteran Frank Towers, who traveled from Florida for the occasion.
Following the president’s welcome speech, several speakers emphasized the importance of remembrance in today’s world.
Etienne Savary paid tribute to Claude Lavieille, a deeply humanistic figure strongly connected to the town of Coutances. Marie-Pierre Fauvel stressed the importance of passing this memory on to younger generations and reaffirmed the support of local authorities for the association’s work. The mayor of Saint-Jean-de-Daye also warmly recalled the strong ties that united Frank Towers, Claude Lavieille, and the people of the town.
After the national anthems and a minute of silence, the assembly approved the principle of a show-of-hands vote.
Twenty-Five Years of Commitment to Remembrance
During his moral report, President Serge Néel reminded attendees that the congress was once again being held in Coutances, just as it had been twenty years earlier following the death of Claude Lavieille.
The assembly unanimously approved:
the increase of the annual membership fee to €30;
the activity report presented by the secretary;
the association’s financial report.
A letter from the American Crissman family, accompanied by a donation to the association, was also read to the audience.
During the discussions, Cléo Lacote emphasized the need to involve more young people in the association’s memorial activities.
Renewal of the Board of Directors
Three board members stepped down from their positions : Mr. and Mrs. Dufour; Mr. Denis.
Three new board members were co-opted: Corinne Claudel; Patrick Claudel; Audrey Herminy.
Four board members were re-elected: Isabelle Pinard; Ludovic Pinard; Georges-Pierre Joret; Patrice Fauvel.
A Memorial Panel Installed at the Coutances Cemetery
The association also presented a memorial panel installed at the Coutances cemetery to highlight the “Remember” rose bushes planted during the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The panel helps improve the visibility of the association and its activities, notably through the addition of a QR code.
Honors Awarded for the Association’s 25th Anniversary
To mark this symbolic anniversary, several “Flowers of Memory” distinctions were awarded to individuals who played an important role in the history of the association:
- Marie-Thérèse Cueff ;
- Georges-Pierre Joret ;
- Catherine Meunier (absent) ;
- Janine Lebourgeois (absent).
A Round Table on the Return of Prisoners of War
The morning concluded with a round table led by Patrick Fissot on the theme: “The Return of Prisoners.” The presentation explored the fate of thousands of soldiers from the Manche region who were taken prisoner during the war and sent to camps throughout Germany.
Topics discussed included:
- differing conditions depending on the occupied zones;
- the difficulties of returning to France after liberation;
- family tensions after years of separation;
- the challenges of social and professional reintegration.
Often overlooked in wartime narratives, these prisoners carried a painful and largely forgotten memory for many years.
A Moving Message from the United States
The congress concluded with the reading of a letter from U.S. Consul Ms. Cintora, followed by an emotional message from Kathy Towers.
Traveling from Florida, the daughter of veteran Frank Towers thanked the association for its continued commitment to preserving the memory of American soldiers who died in France:
“I hope you will continue to keep the memory of these young men alive in the future. Their sacrifice changed our lives forever. It is when they are forgotten that history repeats itself.”
