Haguenau (AFP)

The Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly paid on Friday in Haguenau (Bas-Rhin) a strong and emotional tribute to Sergeant Yvonne Huynh and to Brigadier Loïc Risser, members of the 2nd Hussar regiment, who died in Mali on January 2.

On the place of arms of the regiment where all the soldiers not deployed in operation abroad had taken place, the two coffins covered with a tricolor flag were deposited by the brothers in arms of the two soldiers, who were made Knights of the Legion of Honor posthumously.

"Sergeant-chef Yvonne Huynh, Brigadier-chef Loïc Risser, some people shine by the sincerity of their soul and by the depth of their commitment. You were one of them", declared the Minister of the Armed Forces, in the introduction of the eulogy she delivered.

She recalled the career and the qualities of the two soldiers, emphasizing the "boundless energy", the "enthusiasm" and the "strong character" of Yvonne Huynh.

"You were a rock, an unchanging landmark, endowed with a moral strength worthy of the greatest soldiers. You were the soul of your detachment," she greeted.

She then spoke of "the passion and generosity" which animated Brigadier Loïc Risser.

“In the field you were an excellent observer, at the forefront of the use of the most complex sensors and of camouflage,” she remarked.

"Today the tricolor flag envelops you", she concluded, very moved, to the address of the two soldiers who died in combat.

"He tells you all the gratitude of France, all the pride and all the pain of the country for his children who have fallen for him".

In the audience, many elected officials were seated, including the president of the Grand Est region, Jean Rottner, and several parliamentarians.

The ceremony ended with a minute of silence, followed by a Marseillaise, performed by the Musique de l'Arme Blindée Cavalerie de Metz.

Two other tribute ceremonies had been held in recent days, in Mali first, then, Thursday, in Paris.

"The third time, tonight, is a much more family tribute, where finally our two comrades meet in their regiment, with their sisters and brothers in arms, which allows these comrades to mourn" General Germain Barrau, land forces intelligence commander, told reporters.

"Without it, the scar will never close. It is essential for the soldier."

To date, fifty French soldiers have lost their lives in the Sahel.

© 2021 AFP