The Flame of the Unknown Soldier rekindled at Les Gonds | Charente-Maritime

Domaine des Chais at the rekindling of the flame of the Nation

On 7 November 2022, the Domaine des Chais was invited to attend the rekindling ceremony of the flame of the Nation, in Les Gonds, a small village of 1850 inhabitants.

An important event to keep alive the duty to remember

The rekindling of the flame is a way of expressing the Nation's recognition of the soldiers of the Great War who died for France.

This memorial ceremony was presided over by Patricia Mirallès, Secretary of State to the Minister of the Armed Forces, responsible for Veterans and Remembrance.

Nicolas Basselier, Prefect of the Charente Maritime, as well as civil and military authorities were also present at this commemoration.

This inter-generational event, which was aimed at passing on the memory to young people, brought together almost 500 participants, including 50 elected representatives from the department and many young people. It was therefore a few days before the 11 November commemorations that some pupils were able to rekindle the flame of the Unknown Soldier, which arrived directly from Paris.

In addition, and for the first time in France, some forty Mayors left individually with a hurricane lamp; a symbolic flame that each of them could keep with them during the 11 November ceremonies.

A moment of remembrance and reunion

Extremely honoured to have been able to attend this ceremony, it was also a moment of reunion!

It was after 40 years that Luc Schmitt, owner of the Domaine des Chais, and Serge Barcellini, Controller General of the Armed Forces in the 2nd section and also President General of the Souvenir français for the past six years, met again.

Indeed, it was 41 years ago that the two met, when Luc Schmitt was then a company manager specialising in construction in Moselle.

It was both funny and surprising to meet again on such an occasion...