Le 21 novembre/ Veterans Day
Le 11 novembre, je suis allée à la Place de la Mairie, au centre de Rennes. Ce jour-là, beaucoup de corps dans l’armée française et de citoyens américains s’y sont rassemblés pour commémorer la fin de la Première Guerre Mondiale. Avant que la cérémonie ait commencé, j’ai rencontré les autres étudiants américains qui y étaient venus.
Puis, nous étions accueillis par les animateurs et dirigés vers le bord de la Place. Nous nous y sommes rangés en 4 lignes. J’étais étonnée que nous ne puissions pas porter des chapeaux pendant la cérémonie bien qu’il ait plu, mais je pense qu’ils auraient été trop décontractés pour l’événement. J’étais impressionnée, en fait, de voir la diligence des soldats français par rapport aux citoyens normaux et j’étais émue quand ils ont reçu la Légion d’Honneur. J’aimais aussi la réception après où il y avait beaucoup d’anciens combattants avec des histoires tragiques et intéressantes. En somme, c’était une très bonne expérience. Je me sentirais privilégiée d’avoir une autre opportunité de participer à une cérémonie comme ça à l’avenir.
On November 11th, I went to the City Hall square, at the center of Rennes. That day, a lot of soldiers in the French army and American citizens assembled themselves there to commemorate the end of the WWI. Before the ceremony began, I met other American students who had come to the event. Then, we were welcomed by the masters of ceremonies and directed towards the edge of the square.
We arranged ourselves there in 4 lines. I was astonished that we weren’t allowed to wear hats during the ceremony even though it was raining, but I think that could have been too informal for the event. I was impressed, in fact, seeing the diligence of the French soldiers compared to normal citizens and I was moved when they received the Legion of Honor. I also loved the reception afterwards where there were many veterans with tragic and interesting stories. In all, it was a very good experience. I would feel privileged to have another opportunity to participate in a ceremony like it in the future.
Hannah Jeffery
Alma College
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