Representing Australia at the Armistice ceremony in Le Val today was an absolute privilege. Unofficial though the post may have been, stepping up to join the community in their respect for lives given and giving, was a heartfelt experience. ‘All history is a current event’ said the (Muppet endorsed) muso Dr John, making the commemoration of the day as contemporary as the cornflower bleuets on well pressed lapels. Blossoming bountifully on serving army personnel were also medals from Haiti, Malaysia and Kosovo, adding polish and pride to this century old salute.

Jérémy the mayor and councillor Julien greeted everyone personally as they arrived. While there naturally weren’t as many people as in previous years, under the plane trees in the sunny town square, unchanged since way before Rose Valland wrote Le front de l’art, any gaps in the crowd were suddenly filled with memories of her classic story/movie, the Resistance sharing a last loaf of bread before venturing back into the night, courage and bravery in black and white.

Two other opportunities exist for my potential ambassadorial representation of Australia in France. May 9th, which celebrates peace and unity in Europe (the beginning of the EU after WW2) and of course July 14th, la grande fête. But such is my emotional response to the band playing La Marseillaise, that there is the chance I could lose face entirely. The bugle call on Anzac Day has the same effect – those sunrise services in downtown Manhattan were full of tears, particularly with only an Anzac biscuit on offer for comfort. But Le Val has the dilemma solved. Not just with wine and olives, but for lingerers there was pizza and Marquisette, a cocktail of white wine and fresh lemon. No wonder the French endured. No wonder they celebrate. Let’s get that band playing…!