After two days of relay racing and 75 kilometers traveled through Haute-Savoie, the soldiers of the 27th battalion of Alpine hunters arrived this Thursday, November 11 in Annecy, with the flame of the unknown soldier. A symbol to pay tribute to the soldiers who died for France

This epic began in Paris, Tuesday, November 9, under the Arc de Triomphe. Some infantrymen of this army corps brought the flame to the grave of this soldier, who represents all the French combatants who fell on the field of honor during the Great War.

These same soldiers then began a 75 km journey running between Thonon and Annecy. With the aim of honoring the Hauts-Savoyards who died for France: “Obviously, we think of all those who left but also those who fought recently. Our battalion is returning from Mali, so we also think of our wounded”, explains the capitaine Fred, commander of the command and logistics company of the 27th Alpine Chasers Battalion.

The small groups of the 27th Battalion took turns during the last two days. They went from town to town to accomplish this duty of remembrance. Some inhabitants came to meet them in order to recover, too, the flame of the unknown soldier.

“As a soldier, our raison d’être is to protect the French people. We are not fighting for ourselves or for personal glory. To see that the population is present, it is a huge honor”reacts Captain Xavier, assistant officer of the command and logistics company of the 27th BCA.

The battalion invited the entire population to join them. The national police responded and joined in the event: “We also mark the occasion for our police and our gendarmes, who said on French territory and who, sometimes, lose their lives there. It was important for us”, adds Jean-Luc Pruvost, president of the Police Léman Mont-Blanc sports association.

In all, 12 police officers and 300 soldiers took turns over the past two days. The last procession arrived in Annecy, this Thursday, November 11, at 4 p.m.