Members and friends are listening to the president Valerie Blouin

The Association of “Americans and US Sixth Fleet in Villefranche” organized its General Meeting on March 3, 2017 at 6 PM in the Gare Maritime of Villefranche.

Personalities present were Mr. Xavier Beck, Conseiller Départemental, and Mr. Zambernardi representing the Mayor of Villefranche, Mr. Bauchet and Mrs. Hattemberg.

The financial balance sheet for the year 2016 was presented and unanimously accepted.

The commemoration celebration of the departure of the Sixth Fleet was a great success.

The President thanked the many partners/sponsors for their generous contributions and outlined various projects for this year:

–   A historical booklet “Once Upon a Time, the U.S. Navy and Villefranche”, written and composed by Michelle Icard, Jo Masnata and Gilles Perez is presently for sale for 8 Euros in the Terres Dorées shop in Villefranche and in the Welcome Hotel.

–   A beautiful souvenir book with photographs of the celebration and testimonies from the past, is being prepared and will soon be available.

–   A documentary film “Villefranche our favorite Liberty”, realized by Hugo le Gourrierec and Florent Plana in partnership with ESRA Nice, will be shown for the first time this spring and will then be available on DVD, co-produced by our Association and Art Sept.  You can view the teaser on http://www.ussixthfleet-villefranche.com/videos/

Historical path on the walls of Fleet landing Port de la Santé – Photo D.R.

–   Visits of the village, permanent and temporary exhibitions, conferences and film projections are planned.

–   The archives will be digitalized to be available on our Website.

–   A Webdoc will be created to facilitate interactive access to various media, especially for a younger audience.

General Consul Monique Quesada and VADM Christopher Grady, Commander Sixth Fleet – Photo D.R.

In his speech, Mr. Zambernardi confirmed the continued support of the Municipality, festivities for the 4th of July and the creation of a future Sixth Fleet museum as was promised by the Mayor during the gala evening on January 21 in the presence of Vice-Admiral Grady, Commander of the Sixth Fleet and Mrs. Quesada, the American Consul General, who was the guest of honor.

 

Divers of Anao working on the anchor – Photo credit Olivier Jude

Eric Dulière, President of the Club Anao, told the extraordinary story of the giant anchor, that became the symbol of Franco-American friendship.

The meeting ended with the projection of photos and the documentary teaser, followed  by a visit of the exhibition in the Gare Maritime and a friendship drink offered by Thierry Blouin, Manager of the Mère Germaine and Vice-President of the Association.

 

Valérie Blouin

President