On August 15, 1944, Théoule-sur-Mer and its Pointe de l’Esquillon were chosen by Allied forces as the only landing point in the Alpes-Maritimes department.
To commemorate this historical date, a ceremony is held each year in the presence of American authorities.
This year, on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Provence, the mayor of Théoule-sur-Mer, Daniel Mansanti, welcomes Charles Hammerman Rivkin, the U.S. Ambassador to France, who is traveling from Paris specifically to participate in the ceremonies.
Notably, present in the bay of Théoule-sur-Mer will be two military vessels, including the US Navy’s “MOUNT WHITNEY,” the flagship of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, considered the most sophisticated command ship in terms of information technology, communications, and intelligence, and the “HALLEBARDE,” a French fleet landing craft for infantry and tanks.
Expected among the American military authorities are Rear Admiral Kenneth NORTON (Deputy Chief of Staff of U.S. Naval Forces, responsible for the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean), Captain Robert C. BUZZELL (Naval Attaché at the United States Embassy in Paris), and Captain Jeffrey RUTH (Commanding Officer of the US Navy vessel “MOUNT WHITNEY”).
With a capacity of 1,000 officers and sailors, the Mount Whitney is an advanced command ship strategically positioned in the operational theater; it is capable of carrying two helicopters and amphibious vehicles, measuring 194 meters in length and 32.9 meters in width, it is equipped with ultra-sophisticated equipment allowing it to fulfill its command unit mission.
– August 14 Program:
· 5:15 PM Reception at the town hall for the officers of the vessels, exchange of gifts
· 6:15 PM Croix de Lorraine ceremony
· 7 PM Reception hall aperitif
– August 15 Program:
· 8:30 AM Mass at St Germaine de Pibrac Church
· 9:45 AM Embarcation of authorities and population
· 10:30 AM Ceremony at sea at Pointe de l’Esquillon aboard the vessel Hallebarde
· 11:30 AM Military parade, historic vehicles, flag-bearers, veterans, US Navy and base 946 detachments, Nice fire brigade band, and firefighter and young firefighter detachments from Théoule-sur-Mer
· 12 PM Addresses by French and American authorities
· 1 PM Reception hall aperitif
· 9:30 PM Fireworks display
· 10 PM Grand ball at Place Général Bertrand
– August 16 Program:
· 7:30 PM Laying of wreaths at the US commando plaque in the reception hall
· 8:30 PM Giant aioli with Salsa show at the Pointe de l’Aiguille beach (€25 reservation at the tourist office)
