Saturday June 6, the Jean-Paul II college in Ploemeur highlighted 18 young people who have been involved, throughout this year, alongside Serge Malard, professor of history and geography, in a Defense class and its partners, including the base’s 23F flotilla. naval aeronautics of Lann-Bihoué, the sponsoring entity of this adventure. “This Defense class, which received a grant of €3,300 from the city, will be continued for next year,” announced Lieutenant Geoffrey Mathieu, during the college students’ diploma ceremony.
“This Saturday June 6 is a historic date that you will not be able to forget!”, underlined Jean-Claude Laffont, former colonel of the Army. The ten boys and eight girls, dressed in their t-shirts bearing the 23F logo, responded, in the voice of Sterenn: “It was an incredible experience, a unique adventure made up of meetings with former resistance fighters and many visits: the Resistance museum, the 23F or at the Atlantic Submarine Squadron museum and with the Ploemeur association Rossitten, history and memory… We can only say to future students who will have the choice to participate in this adventure: go for it! And another young person said: “We are proud to be able, through this exhibition, to show the culmination of a whole year of work with Serge Malard. Thank you, Professor!”
“He’s a captain we want to follow.”
The college students guided the public and the numerous guests: delegation of the 23F, association of duty of memory, veterans and Jean-Guillaume Gourlain, assistant to the children and young people’s journey. They discovered three exhibitions and a film: history of the Lann-Bihoué base and the 23F and the Bunkers of the Château du Ter, produced by the Defense class with the help of Olivier Bihannic, former naval photographer.
At the time of the graduation ceremony, Lydie Le Blïs, director of the Jean-Paul II college, concluded: “Faced with current social, economic and geopolitical issues, the Defense class is a good tool for training the citizens of tomorrow. It is also a good tool for professional discovery, because it is at the crossroads between commitment, culture and citizenship. Monsieur Malard wet the shirt in the same way as his students. “He’s a captain we want to follow.”
