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Ian Langsdon / EPA
The funeral ceremony honoring World War II French Resistance leader Raymond Aubrac, in Paris, April 16. Aubrac, a major leader in the French Resistance, is famed for a daring escape after being captured by the Nazis during World War II alongside French Resistance hero Jean Moulin. On April 10, Aubrac died at the age of 97 in Paris.
Francois Mori / Pool via EPA
French President Nicolas Sarkozy attends a funeral ceremony honoring World War II French Resistance leader Raymond Aubrac.
Today the French resistance fighter, Raymond Aubrac's funeral was held with a ceremony at the Invalides in Paris and attended by many of the candidates for President as well as the current President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Aubrac's life was rich with drama, having fought against the Nazi occupation, suffering torture at the hands of the infamous Gestatpo head Klaus Barbie (the Butcher of Lyon), and a daring escape orchestrated by his then pregnant wife, Lucie. Their story, of love, valor and courage has been documented in books and movies and is well-known in France.
"These heroes of the shadows who saved France's honor at a time when it appeared lost are disappearing one after the other. It is our duty to keep their legacy alive in the heart of our collective memory," Sarkozy said.
More about Raymond Aubrac's life.
Ian Langsdon / EPA
French President Nicolas Sarkozy stands at attention during a funeral ceremony honoring World War II French Resistance leader Raymond Aubrac at the Invalides.
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What a fascinating time to have lived, and what a great man and wife. Great story to have survived and escaped from the Nazi's. Have a friend that travels for work and when they figure out he is an American people still come up and thank him for what our country did all those years ago.
His bravery, and that of his loving wife, are, and were then, examples of fortitude and perseverance, that gave inspiration, to many menbers of the Resistance in their efforts to undermine the Nazis. Many gave their lives fighting those brutal invaders; and, may those around the world salute this man, who was the image of the French Freedom Fighter, and, whose Resistence organization will never fade from pages of WWII history.
Way to go Lucie, you have a bigger pair then most men