Nice Tribute to Soldiers
Nice pays tribute to soldiers back from Afghanistan
On Saturday, October 8, Mr Christian Estrosi, Deputy-Mayor of Nice, President of Nice Côte d'Azur, in the presence of Mr François Rabut, Municipal Councillor, Delegate for Veterans Affairs and the Army-Nation relations, has honored soldiers of the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment - of which some from Nice - and their families, in the gardens of the Villa Massena in Nice. This regiment participated in many operations for peacekeeping in Afghanistan, where a captain and a corporal were killed in action and 38 soldiers wounded. The Mayor of Nice would like to pay tribute to those soldiers who wear with pride and courage the values of the Republic, true to their motto "Hook on and Hold." At the end of his speech, before a large crowd, Christian Estrosi gave the Colonel commanding the 21st RIMA, the flag "Prestige" of the City of Nice, in exchange, he received a beautiful book telling the story of the 21st RIMA. A giant screen installed in the gardens of the Villa Massena broadcast a film of about fifteen minutes tracing the presence of the 21st RIMA in Afghanistan and then the anthem of the 21st RIMA and the Marseillaise was played by the band of the Fire Department City of Nice. Created on July 17, 1901, the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment is professionalized since 1979 and distinguished itself on all fronts. Located in Camp Colonel Lecocq in Frejus, it belongs to the 6th Light Armored Brigade, whose headquarters is stationed in Nimes.
