Armistice Day Celebrations in Nice
A First World War camp in Nice to celebrate Armistice Day
As part of events celebrating the 93rd anniversary of the Armistice of the Great War, the city of Nice invited the public to experience life-size memories of a bygone era, with the installation of a reconstituted camp of the first World War. This encampment, settled Place Pierre Gautier, featured a field kitchen of historical time that has been serving hot drinks, a tent including a infirmary, a tent for the general staff, a phonograph playing music from the period. Sixty extras had also donned period costumes and uniforms: riders with their horses, "Poilus" in blue uniforms, the "piou" in red uniforms, the Spahis, nurses, a general, a blacksmith, a cobbler ... A real trip back in time to serve the memory of history, made possible by the association CCE (Committee for Commemoration of Time). Riders and polus also have joined the traditional November 11 ceremony at The War Memorial.
In the evening, a reception was given by the prefect at the Palais des Rois Sardes in honor of Colonel Petillot. During their speeches, General Mondoulet, Christian Estrosi, Eric Ciotti and the Prefect Jean Michel Drevet, praises were unstoppable for Andre Pétillot especially for his involvement in the fight against crime and in his organizing the G20 motorcades. At the head for over 4 years of the group of Gendarmerie, Colonel Pétillot transmitted the relay to Lieutenant Colonel Marchand under the auspices of General Marc Mondoulet, commander of the Gendarmerie of the region Provence-Alpes Côte d'Azur. Colonel Pétillot will work in Paris where he will occupy the number two position of Finance and Administration of the Gendarmerie (Assistant to the Deputy Chief Financial Officer). He then presented the insignia of chevalier of honor to his deputy, Colonel Eric Divet. During his adress, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of Nice Côte d'Azur, stated that on each November 11, all those who gave their lives for France, either in defense of the homeland or during external operations in which our country participates, will also be involved in this solemn tribute to the nation. He said: "Today, in the early 21st century, our troops are engaged in Africa, the Middle East, Afghanistan and the soldiers continue to fall under the French flag for our flag, it never falls. It is right and legitimate that these soldiers now join in the commemoration of those who preceded them in the sacrifice during the twentieth century in the service of our destiny and our values, to live the Republic and long live France." Eric Ciotti, President of the Alpes Maritimes County Council, also paid tribute to the merits of Colonel Pétillot as well as the whole Gendarmerie Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur.
