A tribute to the liberators in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer in 1946

A large crowd waited in front of the grandstand near the monument to be inaugurated in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. The patriotic societies, their flag bearers and the music of Saint-Clair-sur-Elle greeted the personalities. The mayors of the neighboring municipalities, with their councillors, were introduced to the minister and gave him flowers.

Mr. Tabourel, mayor of Port-en-Bessin, spoke on behalf of his population and the sailors who accompanied him. Their paradled flotilla evolved in front of the beach, on the waters that had carried the allied ships on June 6, 1944. He recalled the services offered voluntarily by these fishermen during the landing operations and expressed their gratitude to the liberators. A sailor from Grandcamp, in work clothes, gave a wreath to Mr. Le Troquer, who shook his hand.

After the American anthem, the mayor of Saint-Laurent, J.-B. Louvet, said his joy in welcoming visitors for this anniversary and thanked the liberators. In a Frenchman described as impeccable, American officer Steele greeted the dead who fell in this place when approaching France and emphasized the friendship between Americans, French, Canadians and British that had made the operation possible. He also expressed his confidence in the recovery of the Norman people and France.

Ms. Jules Moch, representing her husband, Minister of Transport and Communications, expressed on behalf of French women their gratitude to the Allies. She urged the youth to resume the task of the dead for the Liberation, then had General de Gaulle and Léon Blum acclaimed, cited for strengthening ties with the United States.

Mr. Le Troquer in turn expressed French gratitude and highlighted the moving simplicity of the monument, a reflection according to him of a lasting recognition. During the national hymns, three planes flew over the assembly and executed some figures.

Another ceremony took place on the high cliff, at the Allied Troops Memorial. Abbé Brampain, parish priest of Saint-Laurent, gave the absoute, followed by the ringing of Au Drapeau.

Reconstructed or uncertain passages:
- The very small cut gives Steele successively the ranks of corvette captain and frigate captain; the notice designates him without refereeing as an American officer. The spellings Tabourel and Brampain are taken as close as possible to the scan.

Archive image: https://vierville.cordelle.eu/StLaurent/OuestFrance7juin1946StL.jpg