Translation of the article in French by Jacques Rouchaud
Today, 11 November, France remembers its dead. That is right. But almost all our great dates speak of war. Who commemorates those who keep the country alive, every day, without noise?
Remembering is right
On 11 November 1918, the armistice ended the Great War. About 1.4 million French soldiers never came home. Since 2012, this day has paid tribute to all those who died for France.
A people that forgets its dead also forgets the price of peace. This memory must remain.
A calendar of battles
Yet let us look at our calendar. 8 May, 11 November, the days of tribute to combatants: we mostly commemorate armistices, victories and those killed in battle.
There is indeed a Mother’s Day and a 1 May. But these are celebrations, not tributes from the Nation. There is no ceremony, no monument, no minute of silence for those who gave their lives to work and to others.
Those we never commemorate
Who commemorates the mother who gets up at night for twenty years? The nurse, the bricklayer, the farmer, the sailor, the home carer? All those who work all day long, with no medal and no monument?
They are the ones who hold a country together. They feed, heal, build and raise children. Their courage is less visible than the soldier’s. Yet it lasts a whole lifetime.
The two faces of memory
The memory of wars has two faces. On one side, it tells us: « never again ». On the other, it can keep resentment alive.
Some use it to point to an enemy and to call themselves the only true defenders of the country. Memory then becomes a flag against others, and hatred comes back through the door of remembrance.
Loving your country does not mean hating your neighbour. It means taking care of those who live there.
What we propose
- Keep 11 November, for peace and not for revenge.
- Add commemorations of care, work and devotion.
- Let the people choose, by referendum, what they want to honour.
Let us honour those who build as much as those who fell. A country is known by what it celebrates. Let us celebrate what gives life.
Demosciocracy gives the people back their voice, in each territory. No party, no prince, no king, no empress.
Liberty — Equality — Truth.
Thank you for your comments
👉 demosciocracy.com
✉️ jacques.rouchaud@me.com
Factual references
- Armistice of 11 November 1918; about 1.4 million French soldiers died during the First World War.
- Law of 24 October 1922 – 11 November becomes a public holiday.
- Law of 28 February 2012 – 11 November pays tribute to all those who died for France.
- Law of 24 May 1950 – Mother’s Day.
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