Outpost International Southern France 70th Anniversary Commemorations Part 3
By Monika and Tim Stoy
Commemorations continued on 18 August, this time with our group traveling into the 45th
Infantry Division sector to dedicate two plaques in honor of the Thunderbirds in the towns of
Riez and Valensole. Both ceremonies were very nice, with the townspeople showing great
appreciation for Mike Halik. Mike assisted in the unveiling of both plaques as no 45th ID
veterans were present. Mayor Gérard Auric of Valensole and Mayor Christophe Bianchi
presented us with wonderful gifts of agricultural products made with lavender – these two towns
are in the heart of lavender country! This was the first time ever since the war any American
veterans or soldiers have visited either town since the end of the war! The events were
coordinated by Marc Tastenoy of Var 39-45, a reenactment group which is proud to portray 3rd
Infantry Division soldiers.
On 19 August we were in Cadenet for their commemoration. The town dedicated a plaque in
2012 and we were happy to once again join the community for this special anniversary. The
mayor, Fernand Perez, presented Mike Halik with the town’s medallion and Var 39-45, with
some associated re-enactors, quite realistically portrayed the entry into town of the first US
troops and the activities of the Resistance.
20 August was another wonderful day as we drove to Vauvanargues, in the shadow of St.
Victoire and near Picasso’s castle, for a fantastic ceremony at the town’s liberation monument.
This time the event was supported by another reenactment group, Forty Four Memories, and
associated re-enactors, and included a Sherman tank! Mayor Philippe Charrina of Vauvenargues
did a great job coordinating the event. A group of re-enactors made their way from Italy, Quelli
Dell’Epoca under the leadership of Luca Masciullo, to participate, and we learned they re-enact
3ID in Italy also! BG Pierre Kerlann, French Air Force, retired, organized both this event as well
as the following ceremony in the next town, St. Marc Jaumegarde. These towns are on the route
which the 30th Infantry Regiment took to enter Aix en Provence on 20 August 1944. The St.
Marc Jaumegarde ceremony took place at the location of the plaque which was dedicated in 2012
on the spot where the 30th Infantry had its command post for the fight for Aix en Provence.
The 20th concluded with a ceremony on the outskirts of Aix-en-Provence, at a monument with
a plaque marking the location where the first 3rd Infantry Division troops entered the city on 20
August 1944. The Sherman made another appearance, as did the re-enactors portraying the 30th
Infantry Regiment. This ceremony was organized and hosted by the city of Aix-en-Provence and
run by longtime Society friend Mr. Gerard Deloche. The newly arrived Sous Prefect in Aix en
Provence participated in the ceremony.
The 21st of August was another great day as the city of Aix-en-Provence celebrated its
liberation with a commemorative ceremony on the Place de Jean d’Arc. Gerard Deloach
presented Mike Halik and the Stoys with diplomes d’Honneur, honorary citizenship, on behalf of
the city for our annual participation in commemorations to honor our great 3rd ID soldiers. That
afternoon there was a military vehicle parade and exhibition in the town’s center.
22 August found the group in Lançon-Provence, famous for a 12th century castle, and for
having the most olive tree of any community in France! The town dedicated a plaque to the 3rd
three years ago, but in the meantime has replaced the original with a much larger one. We had a
wonderful ceremony organized by Mr. Jean Baptiste Falzon and Mayor Michel Mille. There was
a very nice exposition of WWII artifacts and pictures in the town’s cultural hall, and we were
again hosted for a great lunch with the Mayor, color bearers, town officials, and re-enactors.
This was Mike Halik’s last ceremony of the trip, as he, Debbie, and Keith were leaving for
Marseilles and then the long flight back to the USA. Everywhere Mike appeared he was
showered with affection and respect as the visible representative of all the 3rd ID men who fought
in the liberation of Southern France.
Our next ceremony was in Salon-de-Provence, a regular stop each year. Our 3rd ID plaque has
been relocated to the city’s main monument honoring the Resistance on the outskirts of the city
in the Val de Cuech. The location is where the Germans executed several resistance fighters in
June 1944 and is a sacred place to the citizens of Salon. It was a very nice ceremony, with the
city’s new mayor, Nicolas Isnard, running a tight ship. The mayor delivered a very good speech
at the town hall after the ceremony as he opened the evening’s festivities in the city. It was great
to see the US and French flags flying together at the city hall.
On 23 August the town of Le Thor commemorated its liberation with a very nice ceremony
attended by the US Consul General in Marseille. The event was wonderful and we were given a
very warm reception. Mr. Patrick Choukroune organized a military vehicle parade to kick off
the event. Mayor Yves Bayon de Noyer was a wonderful host. His project officer, Florence
Andrzejewski, did a marvelous job organizing the event. Monika received an honorary
citizenship in Le Thor.
In the afternoon Tim drove to La Barben for that community’s commemoration. La Barben has
been a regular commemoration the past five years, and this year’s event was again very special.
Mayor Christophe Amalric hosted a wonderful event. Meanwhile Monika traveled to the village
of Malemort-du-Comtat for a wonderful program of events which included a military vehicle
convoy through the beautiful countryside near the base of Mont Ventoux. The villages of
Malemort-du-Comtat and neighboring Blauvac hosted a very nice ceremony in Malemort-duComtat and a wonderful evening of swing music. Tim returned from La Barben in time to
participate in most of the activities in Malemort-du-Comtat. Mayor Ghislain Roux of Malemort
and Mayor Max Raspail of Blauvac intend to dedicate plaques to the 3rd ID next year. Both of us
became honorary citizens of Malemort! The event was supported by re-enactors coordinated by
Mr. Marco Paoli.
The morning of 24 August we participated in the ceremony at Chateaurenard outside of
Avignon. We were disappointed the town failed to mention the role of the 3rd Infantry Division
in its liberation and failed to display the American flag or to play the national anthem. However,
we were very happy to participate in Cavaillon’s commemoration that afternoon! Deputé-Maire
Jean-Claude Bouchet was joined by the Prefect of the Vaucluse from Avignon, the region’s
senator, and the Conseil General for a very meaningful ceremony in the town hall which fully
honored the 3rd ID’s role in Cavaillon’s liberation. Monika conducted the POW-MIA ceremony
to honor those still missing from the war. It was very well received. Festivities included a
military vehicle parade and pipe band music. While in Cavaillon we met the Mayor of
Malaucène, Dominique Bodon. His village was also liberated by the 3rd ID, and sits right at the
base of Mont Ventoux. He is also willing to dedicate a plaque to our veterans of the 3rd Infantry
Division. We also met the deputy Mayor of Pertuis, the first major town of the Vaucluse
Department liberated by the 3rd ID in August 1944, and the town is very interested in honoring
its liberators with a commemorative plaque.
OP International’s first eleven days of commemorations of Operation Dragoon have been full
of wonderful and meaningful experiences, greatly enriched by the Halik’s participation. The
final six days promise to be every bit as meaningful as the citizens of Provence celebrate the 70th
anniversary of their liberation and honor the memory of their liberators.