VIDEO. Death of Hubert Germain: the three moments to remember from the national tribute to the last Companion of the Li – Franceinfo

A solemn atmosphere under a bright sun. The tribute to Hubert Germain, the last Companion of the Liberation who died at the age of 101, was paid Friday, October 15 in the courtyard of the Invalides in Paris. Emmanuel Macron chaired the ceremony. Franceinfo has selected the three moments to remember from this tribute to resistance fighter Hubert Germain.

>> Relive the tribute ceremony to Hubert Germain in our replay

1The entrance of the body to the Invalides

To the sound of the drums, Hubert Germain’s coffin was carried to the center of the courtyard of the Invalides around 3 p.m., in front of various army corps, by the legionaries of the 13th demi-brigade of the Foreign Legion. Were present the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, or the Secretary of State for the Armed Forces, Geneviève Darrieussecq.

2The president’s tribute

“Our task will be to continue this fight with the same ardor.” The President of the Republic returned in detail on the course of Hubert Germain. For a little over fifteen minutes, Emmanuel Macron retraced his involvement in the Resistance, also recounting his feats of arms.

“At dawn as at dusk, Hubert Germain was the last to surrender”, honored the head of state, praising the “fiery” and the “determination” of this “resistant from the first hour”, which over time has become “the very embodiment of all his Companions”.

The Head of State once again greeted the Companions of the Liberation, “this circle which raised France from the abyss”, of which Hubert Germain had been a part since 1944, in a speech full of gratitude and tenderness for those who passed “a life of resistance and hope”.

3“La Marseillaise” before the end of the ceremony

“The Order of the Liberation will survive it, independent and faithful to its history, I swear it here”, said Emmanuel Macron. At the end of the president’s speech, those present in the courtyard of the Invalides were able to hear the Marseillaise.

After this national tribute, Emmanuel Macron will preside over the burial ceremony of Hubert Germain, Thursday, November 11, at the Arc de Triomphe and Mont-Valérien, the main place of execution of resistance fighters during the Second World War. His body will rest in the crypt of the war memorial.