May 18, 2024 – Urn Relay: Tribute Ceremony for Fallen Heroes

🇧🇪 On Saturday, May 18, 2024, Magali Dugardin, President of the Consular Corps of the Province of Namur and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Congo, participated in a moving ceremony organized by the FRME Namur & Environs Section in tribute to our fallen heroes. Our colleague, David Dannevoye, Honorary Consul of France, was also present.

As a prelude to this annual ceremony, the committee and the family of our friend Joseph, known as "Paris" BISCHOP, met on April 27 at the Chimay cemetery to take a little earth from the foot of his grave.

On the day of the official ceremony, we gathered at the entrance to the La Plante cemetery, surrounded by numerous patriotic delegations. Among the dignitaries present were Mrs. Éliane Tillieux, President of the House of Representatives; Mr. David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister; Mrs. Gwenaëlle Grovonius, Walloon MP; Mr. Jean-Marc Van Espen, Deputy President; Mrs. Anne Oger, President of the Municipal Council; and many others.

This year, three students from the Provincial Secondary School of Andenne, Section Aspiring to Defense and Security Professions, as well as a Scout and a Guide from Jambes-Montagne accompanied us on this memorial day.

Gathering together on Chemin de la Caracole, we formed a procession and entered the cemetery to visit the grave of Sergeant Georges ATTOUT. Once in place, the Section President welcomed everyone present, evoking the importance of our principles of freedom, justice, and solidarity, and honoring those who work for their and our freedom.

LOUIS, a 4th-year student and military candidate, and ROMAIN (Totem: PAGUMA), a Scout, spoke. A presentation of the civil, military, and community life of "Paris" was presented to the audience, followed by a few moments of silence in his memory. The family then poured soil from the Chimay cemetery into the Provincial Urn of Namur, which will be transferred to Saint-Josse-ten-Noode on October 5th to be placed in the base of our National Monument.

Principal Canon Bruno DEKREM blessed the urn, then the authorities spoke before laying flowers. We heard the bell ring "Aux Champs" and the Brabançonne.

Several member decorations were awarded, including:

• The Belgian Forces in Germany Medal to Messrs. José GENNART and Pierre HONNAY

• The Medal for Missions Abroad to Mr. Joseph PIROT

• The Grand Palms of the Order of the UNAO to Madame Danielle BIDART

A souvenir from the Section was also presented to Mr. Jean-Marc VAN ESPEN for his loyalty. Once the Provincial Urn Relay was over, we left the cemetery to go to the reception room, sign the Guest Book, and share a friendly drink.