After an emotional ceremony paying tribute to the victims of the attack, the traditional parade took place in the late afternoon in front of the centennial monument.
As every year on this national holiday, gendarmes, military personnel, police officers, firefighters, and veterans’ associations were gathered. Also represented during the ceremony, hospital staff were honored in this very particular year.
Several medals for acts of courage and dedication were awarded by Mr. Bernard Gonzalez, Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, Colonel Deiber, and Mrs. Nadine Le Calonnec in her capacity as departmental director of security.
Moments later, Christian Estrosi spoke in the rain to pay tribute to healthcare workers. “On this very special day, it is indeed to all health professions that I want to convey the gratitude of the people of Nice, of all ranks, of all specialties. Thank you all. Your commitment, your work, your dedication have also given us the strength of the extraordinary momentum of solidarity, initiative, and efficiency that has united all the people of Nice.” However, following the controversy prompted by The Avener’s concert, the mayor of Nice reminded us that the fight against COVID-19 is not over: “the virus demands from us a greater sense of responsibility. Everyone is constantly reminded of the necessity of barrier gestures and wearing masks. Many now, even though everything is available and in quantity, are too willing to do without them.”
Finally, the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Bernard Gonzalez, also reflected on what marked the beginning of this year: “events have reminded us, but at what cost, that freedom is always a struggle and how high its cost can be. But because we are in 2020, this July 14th has an additional dimension. What better moment indeed to pay tribute to those who, during the two months of confinement, the months before and after from which we are barely emerging, have cared at the risk of their lives and those of their loved ones, have supported the most fragile, the most sensitive, the homeless, the lonely, and have enabled us to nourish ourselves… all these professions to which we scarcely paid attention every day and who, in this health crisis, have reminded us how essential they are to our daily lives. I would even say to our survival.”
