Nikki MitchellThe Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial announced that the Chief of the French Air Force is to be their new vice president yesterday.
General Denis Mercier taking on the role is another cause for celebration for the museum, as the former French Air Force Chief, General Jean-Paul Paloméros, who remains a vice president of the museum, was promoted in September to NATO Supreme Allied Commander. This is an extremely high level position.
Museum Director, Ian Reed: “As the sole allied air forces memorial in Europe we are delighted to welcome the chief of the French Air Force, which along with the chief of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Sir Stephen Dalton who is also a vice president, shows the importance placed upon our work by the European air force.”
The news comes in time for the Yorkshire Air Museums’ (YAM) Remembrance Sunday services. On November 11 they will be putting on a traditional service at the French Memorial in Elvington Village.
For the 55th act of remembrance at the French Memorial to Elvingtion’s World War II French squadrons there will be a parade of the Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies and wreaths will be laid at 11am in the village. Around 400 people are expected to attend, including representatives from regional RAF bases and Air Attaches of Allied nations.
Later there will be a service at the YAM Station Chapel and Memorial garden at 1.30pm, which is to incorporate the laying of the standard of the six group (bomber command) association, 70 years after the standard was inaugurated. Representatives from the Canadian Air Force and Embassy are set to attend the ceremony.
