The office, from left to right, Jacky Virenque, Jean-Claude Bouillard (secretary), Henri Godaill, Jean-Louis Foussat (vice-president), Jean-Pierre Colombet (departmental president and president of the Spiripontain committee), the new president of the Bagnolais committee Jean-Louis Bouchon, Ulysse Micaelli. Midi Libre – C. C.
Les élus ont témoigné de l’importance du devoir de mémoire qu’offrent tous les jours les anciens combattants. Midi Libre – C. C.
In mourning for an irreplaceable president, the Bagnols committee, the largest in the Gard, held an important general meeting on Saturday in Saint-Marcel-de-Careiret, in the presence of a large audience.
An exceptional general assembly took place on Saturday afternoon in the village hall of Saint-Marcel-de-Careiret. The committee of the Fnaca (Federation of Veterans of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia) of the canton of Bagnols, the most important local committee in the Gard with that of Pont-Saint-Esprit, has been orphaned since the departure to the other world, at the end of September, of an irreplaceable president and friend, Maurice Soulier. Since then, Henri Godaill, vice-president, 87 years old, has had the heavy task of ensuring the interim.
In the preamble, the latter shared with the large audience (about two hundred people), “this general assembly is an important work, it is about reconciling all ideas”. Then, he continued with a necessarily difficult moment, reading “the list of our dear departed”, including “Maurice Soulier. We have not yet recovered. It is an immense loss” .
The secretary Jean-Claude Bouillard continued with a masterly hand and not without humor despite the emotion: “With the death of the president, we must begin with an extraordinary general meeting, the office has resigned.” The new board, unanimously elected, chose Jean-Louis Bouchon, treasurer for years, as president. His first words: “I measure my responsibility. I commit to listening to everyone. Despite the trials, may this year be marked by solidarity and hope. Maurice alone embodied the spirit and values of Fnaca. He thought and lived Fnaca. A special tribute to Esperance, his precious ally, his confidante, and a quiet force who worked with him in the shadows.”
Friendship, solidarity and the capital duty of remembrance
The financial report was presented. In 2023-24, the Bagnolais committee had 446 members and 75 supporters. The balance is negative by €401 (€33,130 in expenses for €32,728 in revenue, including €1,100 in subsidies from the municipalities of Bagnols, Codolet, Chusclan and the Department).
The mayors of Bagnols, Connaux, Tresques, Sabran, Saint-André-d’Olérargues and Saint-Marcel-de-Careiret honoured us with their presence, as did members of other friendly associations, such as Jean-Claude Mougenot, president of the Bagnols veterans and military medallists at the departmental level (750 members to manage, he specified). “We went there, not willingly. But we honoured the three colours of France. This war lasted eight years. No one talked about it at the time. Now, our children and grandchildren ask questions. The Fnaca is friendship, solidarity”, assured the Spiripontain Jean-Pierre Colombet, departmental president of the Fnaca.
Carole Bergeri (Mayor of Saint-Marcel-de-Careiret) said: “The duty of remembrance is important, you bring it to life every day. Here, for example, at school. The children are happy that you tell their stories, even if what you experienced is so difficult.” A testimony completed by Jean-Yves Chapelet : “For us, elected officials, you are essential. Beyond fraternity and conviviality, you ensure a complicated duty of remembrance. Hold on for a long time!” All these fine people then shared a tea party fit for kings and queens.
That's life, the delicate question of the future for Fnaca ?
The years fly by, “I'm going to be 85, I'm one of the youngest” confided to the audience Jean-Pierre Colombet, departmental president of Fnaca and president of the Pont-Saint-Esprit committee. He had just returned from four days of the Fnaca national congress in Paris and transmitted in substance the reflections that emerged from it. "Until now, no one talked about it. It is undeniable that Fnaca is living its last years. Our national president spoke about the end of life of Fnaca. There was an outcry from participants and a vote to remove the notion of end of life. Officially, Fnaca will continue until 2031. After that, we'll see. Change the name? […]. Fnaca has 16 million euros of equity. It was created sixty years ago. At one time, we were up to 600,000. She managed the accounts very well. In May, the decision will be taken to distribute part of this sum to local committees. The Fnaca is doing well. We left re-motivated. I wish the Fnaca of Bagnols a long life.” One certainty: preserve the commemoration of March 19 at all costs.