Speech by Jean-Jacques
Piot, the French representative of the RAFES at the French Air
Forces Club, June 1995
When you look at the sky and see an aircraft flying over, is
there a chance that you can meet the aircrew, or hostess, or the
passengers? None, absolutely none.
However, if we are all here happily together, it is because that
happened to you on a certain day during the war.
At that time we were anonymous companions in a great struggle for
freedom. Thereafter we became friends because you created the
RAFES and expanded its membership from Norway/Denmark to Poland
and Greece, from Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg to Italy and
France, who nearly all have representatives here today 'et
je les salue'.
Congratulations as you made great achievements during these 50
years of peace.
This leads me to two conclusions:-
First. That your association has always been
cheerful, successful and a well managed enterprise, a great
ambassador of your country. You have decided that your Society
has reached the age of retirement. We should not be sad about it.
Everyone retires, but the nice links so created remain - and will
remain.
The second conclusion is a little longer. In
this room we have known the ghastly destruction of war, the death
of companions. But we can say after half a century that peace is
the greatest accomplishment of our war-scarred generation. It is
is the best present we can give to those who follow.
Peace among nations, as amongst individuals, is not a free gift
of God. Each one among us must constantly work at it. If we
strive to accept differences as a source of enriching diversity
instead of conflicts, we will secure indeed that brighter future
of which we dreamed in those dark days, long ago, and feel closer
to each other.
Closer! In fact, did you realize that when you
took the Eurostar Shuttle how, 50 years after, Europe - from
London to East Germany - is now becoming a single entity with
common aims and pleasant people to meet?
Let us continue to work for peace.
That was the second message I wanted to convey.
It comes with renewed and joyful gratitude for the warm and so
faithful friendship you have always given to all your Helpers in
the various countries on so many occasions, and none more moving
than today.