A Memorial Trip to Washington: Students from the Edouard Gand Vocational High School Share Their Stories

IN BRIEF

Terminal year students from the Edouard Gand vocational high school in Amiens participated in a memorial trip to Washington.
The objective: to explore the connections between the Somme and the United States during the two world wars.
The stay, accompanied by two teachers, resulted in an exhibition titled “Washington in the Somme” at the Louis Aragon library in Amiens.
The students collected testimonies from nursing home residents regarding the reconstruction of Amiens after World War II.
The project received support from the ONAC to facilitate this unprecedented trip.
The young people met the granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt and American veterans during ceremonies in Arlington.
The initiative received significant attention, notably featured on the front page of the New York Times.

The students of the Edouard Gand vocational high school in Amiens experienced an extraordinary adventure by participating in a memorial trip to Washington, marking an important milestone in their final year. This journey, undertaken alongside their teachers, helped strengthen the historical ties between the Somme and the United States. They are sharing their experience today through a unique photographic exhibition at the Louis Aragon library in Amiens, where memory, history, and emotion intersect to raise public awareness about collective memory and international solidarity.

A pedagogical project focused on memory and history #

At the heart of this project is the desire to recall the strong ties forged between the Somme region and Americans during the two world wars. Guided by their history and English teachers, students from the support, care, and services to individuals program first engaged with residents of the nursing home “Les Jardins d’Henriville” in Amiens. Their valuable stories about the city’s post-war reconstruction and the aid from the United States served as the starting point for a book and sparked a desire to discover Washington in order to better understand this shared heritage. To effectively prepare for such a memory-focused project, it is highly recommended to draw inspiration from other memorial tourism initiatives.

A memorable trip in the heart of the American capital #

At the beginning of April, seven students had the opportunity to fly for the first time to the United States, accompanied by two passionate teachers. Their goal was to retrace the history of Franco-American ties on-site, particularly through testimonies collected in France and symbolic visits in Washington. Their adventure was highlighted on the front page of the prestigious New York Times, a testament to the scale and impact of this unprecedented educational initiative.

Meetings and strong moments between history and emotion #

During their stay, the students experienced intense and unforgettable moments. Among the highlights, the visit to Arlington Cemetery evoked strong emotions. They witnessed the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, sharing a moment of reflection with American veterans. These generational exchanges allowed them to grasp the human significance of history.

Another significant moment was the meeting with the granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt, the former First Lady of the United States. This appointment echoed Eleanor Roosevelt’s historic visit to Amiens in 1948, when the city was reconstructing with American support. The students had the honor of personally presenting her with the book gathering the testimonies of older residents from Amiens.

An immersive exhibition at the Louis Aragon library in Amiens #

The culmination of this exceptional project takes the form of a photographic exhibition titled “Washington in the Somme”. Inaugurated at the Louis Aragon library, it invites visitors to discover the photos taken during the trip, accompanied by explanations highlighting the richness of the findings and the depth of the collected memories. The exhibition aims to convey memory while engaging in reflection on peace, solidarity, and the importance of cultural exchanges in building informed citizenship.

This educational project stands out for the students’ ability to bring history to life through their eyes, emotions, and encounters. Other initiatives, such as exploring historical sites like Gorée Island in Senegal, show how the sharing of memory enriches worldviews and educational journeys.

The commitment of a high school, creator of vocations and hopes #

The involvement of the teaching staff made this ambitious project possible. Louis Teyssedou, a history teacher known for his pedagogical initiatives, successfully mobilized the necessary funding from the National Office of Veterans and Victims of War (ONAC) to provide his students with a unique experience. This adventure opened new horizons and proved that it is possible to realize a dream through school engagement. For those wishing to go further, numerous resources exist, including practical information for considering projects abroad, for example to study or settle in Canada.

An experience that inspires solidarity and the desire to discover

The testimonies of the students, moved and proud to have embarked on such an exceptional adventure, reflect the importance of such initiatives. Whether in the Somme or internationally, these journeys demonstrate that memory and sharing open new perspectives, while preparing young people to become the citizens of tomorrow. Those interested in pursuing projects abroad can discover how to settle in other countries or follow all the steps to move to Canada.