France mourns the last deceased recipient of the Liberation Medal

　　China News Agency, Paris, October 15 (Reporter Li Yang) On the 15th local time, France held a national memorial ceremony at the Les Invalides in Paris to mourn the last deceased recipient of the French Liberation Medal, Hubert Germain.

French President Macron attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.

　　In his speech, Macron spoke highly of Germain's contribution to the cause of French liberation, saying that he was loyal to the country all his life, was full of courage, and persevered to the end in the resistance movement.

Macron said that over time, German has become a symbol of all patriots.

　　Macron pointed out that the French Liberation Medal winners pulled France out of the abyss.

As the last medalist to die, German "worked to the last breath".

He said that we will continue to struggle with the same enthusiasm.

　　Hubert Germain is one of 1,038 recipients of the French Liberation Medal.

He passed away on October 12 this year at the age of 101 and was the last medal winner to die.

The French Liberation Medal was established by General de Gaulle in 1940 to recognize those who made significant contributions to the liberation of France during World War II.

　　Germain was born in Paris in 1920, and after the fall of France in 1940, he decided to continue fighting.

In June 1940, he went to London, met de Gaulle and joined the Free French Forces to participate in the battle.

In November 1944 he was awarded the French Liberation Medal.

After the war, he chose to enter politics and served as a member of the National Assembly and government minister.

His last public appearance was in June this year when he attended an event commemorating the 81st anniversary of Charles de Gaulle’s publication of "A Letter to the French People".

　　Some commentators believe that German's death "marked the end of an era."

In his memoir "Hope for France", German stated that when the last of the Liberation Medal recipients dies, "the flame will go out, but the burning embers will last forever."

　　According to official arrangements, Macron will also preside over the funeral for Germain in Paris on November 11.

He will be buried in Valleon Hill, outside of Paris, where many French resistance fighters lay.

(over)