May 8: Victory in Europe Celebration

Today is a national holiday celebrating VE day, when World War II ended in Europe on this day in 1945. Despite a chilly drizzle, the town held a ceremony honoring "the glorious dead" from Sancerre.

Road closed due to ceremony

The mayor, flag bearers, police and an army officer congregated at the town church after mass.

And processed through the square and to the memorial site, where pompiers and army troops had gathered.

 The mayor solemnly recited a statement about the French Resistance saving the day, and then two schoolchildren made a pledge about the future. It was nice to hear from the children and to see them treated as serious participants in the ceremony.

The mayor then read the names of the residents who had died during the war years; they are inscribed on the monument and the list was long -- maybe 30 - 40 names.

The army officer placed flowers on the monument.

Flags were lowered and then raised as the anthem played. In the cold rain, we noticed the discomfort on the faces of the younger flag bearers while their elders seemed stoic, and I couldn't help thinking that in comparison, the weather was nothing.

It was a stirring sight and I was glad that we got to see it. Pastries and tea afterwards in our warm apartment was also nice.