This Friday, a national tribute was paid to Hubert Germain, the last Companions of the Liberation.

The ceremony, which took place in the courtyard of the Invalides in Paris, was chaired by Emmanuel Macron.

The President of the Republic was full of praise for the man who died Tuesday at the age of 101, whom he described as "the ultimate hero".

"The life of Hubert Germain is an anthology of commitment and courage", summed up the Head of State in front of the coffin of the deceased.

"At dawn as at dusk, Hubert Germain was the last to surrender," honored Emmanuel Macron, also praising the "ardor" and "determination" of this "resistant from the start", who over time has become "The very incarnation of all (his) Companions".

The Head of State once again greeted the Companions of the Liberation, "this circle (of 1,038 people, including six women) which raised France from the abyss", of which Hubert had been part since 1944, in a speech full of gratitude and tenderness for those who have spent “a life of resistance and hope”.

Memory work will continue in schools

Emmanuel Macron, who had commemorated alongside Hubert Germain the 81st anniversary of the appeal of June 18, 1940, also made the "oath" to continue the memorial work, so dear to this Companion of the Liberation, who particularly liked to testify in schools.

"Last Chancellor of Honor of the Order of the Liberation, he stoked the burning embers until his last breath, they will not go out with him", promised Emmanuel Macron, in front of several relatives of the Companions' families of the Liberation and members of the government including Prime Minister Jean Castex.

"Our task will be to continue this fight with the same ardor," Macron said.

"The thousand-year-old silence of the spirit of resistance and French relentlessness accompanies you", he continued.

Hubert Germain buried on November 11

Former Gaullist deputy and minister of Georges Pompidou (1972-1974), grand cross of the Legion of Honor, Hubert Germain celebrated his 101st birthday on August 6.

He had joined General de Gaulle in London in June 1940, then fought in the Foreign Legion.

Seriously wounded in May 1944 in Italy, he had participated in the Allied landings in Provence in August of the same year.

After this national tribute, Emmanuel Macron will also preside over the burial ceremony of Hubert Germain on November 11 at the Arc de Triomphe and Mont-Valérien, the main place of execution of resistance fighters during the Second World War, where his body will rest. in the crypt of the combatant France memorial.

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  • Second World War

  • Tribute

  • Resistance

  • Release

  • Emmanuel Macron

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