The general meeting of “Les Amis de la Martinerie” took place in the Barbillat Touraine Hall in Châteauroux, before around a hundred members, each holding 80 proxies.

After thanking the authorities, the partners, and the members, the president handed over to Mr. Thibault Lanxade, Prefect of the Indre departement, who took the floor to remind everyone of the importance of our association in preserving military memory in the Indre department.

The Prefect then discussed and regretted the difficulties encountered by the association during the preparations and then during the 2024 Olympic Games and understood the volunteers' frustration at having to close “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” during these two periods. He praised the cooperative and constructive spirit of “Les Amis de la Martinerie” confronted to a "PARIS 2024" organization that acted like a steamroller.

He also thanked “Les Amis de La Martinerie” for offering the organizers of the June 6, 2024, ceremony in Valencay, marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the opportunity to display five community flags commemorating this period, thus enabling the combatants of that era to be morally present at this remembrance event.

At the end of his speech, the Prefect expressed his wish to involve the association in the INDRE 2030 action plan, in its cultural component, a plan designed and developed jointly by the Prefecture and the Department of Indre to make the department more attractive.

After thanking the Prefect for his presence, his intervention, and for his kind attention to the life of the association, the President presented his moral report, emphasizing the enormous work carried out by the volunteers (insulation, securing the premises, etc.) as well as the quality of the exhibition offered to the people of the Indre department during the November 11, 2024 weekend.

The activity report presented by our secretary, Francine Niémier, once again highlighted the association's intense activity and the implementation of a new initiative: a traveling exhibition for the department's senior residences.

Our treasurer presented us with a balanced budget, well supported by our partners, and validated by Jean-Pierre Dauger, auditor.

Ms. Florence Petitpez, Departmental Councilor and Deputy Mayor of Châteauroux, spoke on behalf of the elected officials present to thank the association for the quality of its work, for preserving the military heritage in the department, and for its contribution to the vitality of the Châteauroux metropolitan area.

In conclusion, the president discussed new activities for 2025, including the renovation of an American-era recreation structure and the facelift of the EBR.

The traditional king cake presented by Sophie and Frédéric Joseph, bakers and pastry chefs in Chezal-Benoit, closed the general meeting.

La NR article dated February 26, 2025

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Photo credit: Dominique Roosens

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