
George and Elisabeth RAY, two Americans at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
At the initiative of Luc Bonhomme, General Director of the Loire Valley USA association, “les Amis de La Martinerie” prepared the arrival of Elisabeth RAY (Betty), an American citizen in search of her past.

The model of the Déols War Memorial entrusted to “Les Amis de La Martinerie”
Always eager to preserve the military memory of the Indre department, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” suggested to Mrs. Delphine Geneste, mayor of the town of Déols, to entrust them with the model of the commune's war memorial.

Thirtieth anniversary of the inauguration of a stela at Déols
30 years ago, on October 26, 1993, Michel Blondeau, then mayor of Déols, and General (2s) Claude Grenard, at the time Colonel commanding the “Ecole de Spécialisation du Matériel de l’Armée de Terre” (ESMAT), inaugurated, in Déols, the stela and the crossroads in memory of the WW1, WW2 and the Indochina and Algeria wars veterans from Deols.

Another day of work at “Les Amis de la Martinerie”
Another working day (in addition to our regular Wednesdays) took place on Friday, November 24.
Many small projects have been continued or completed.

Students from the Philibert Vrau high school visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Wednesday November 15, 2023, Dominique, Jean-Jacques and Roland had the pleasure of welcoming 10th grade students taking vocational classes (cooking, electricity, green space, masonry, carpentry, painting, etc.) at the Philibert Vrau high school of La Martinerie. They all came to learn more about the history of the place they’ll be staying in for the next few years.

The departmental council of the ONaCVG 36 (the National Office for Combatants and War Victims) is meeting at “La Martinerie”
Tuesday, November 7, in the presence of Mr. Thibault Lanxade, prefect of Indre, the departmental council for veterans and victims of war and the memory of the Nation held its quarterly meeting in the “les Amis de La Martinerie”’s conference room, within "la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire".

The flag of “Ceux de Verdun” was out on November 11, 2023
The flag of the Indrienne association of the battle of Verdun veterans is in the custody of “les Amis de La Martinerie” and displayed in the flag room of “La Maison Départementale de la Mémoire Militaire”.

The Cadets of the Indre Gendarmerie at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
It was on Thursday, October 26 that “Les Amis de la Martinerie” welcomed the new class of gendarmerie cadets of the Indre departemtn for their 4th day of training.

The ARM 18 visiting La Martinerie
After welcoming a group of visitors, as part of the “secrets de fabrique” event initiated by the Indre Attractiveness Agency, on Wednesday October 18, 2023, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” had the pleasure of welcoming, on Friday October 20, members of the “Association des Retraités Militaires du Cher” (Cher Military Retirees Association) as part of one of their quarterly outings.

The friendship tree is planted
Remember, it was during our last annual “garden party” held on Saturday September 2, 2023 on the Corlay site, that “les Amis de La Martinerie” offered a tree to the UNC section of Châteauroux-Déols to symbolize the relationship between the two associations.

Friday October 13: our volunteers are back in business
Independently of the work carried out by our volunteers each week, “les Amis de La Martinerie” are resuming the tradition of a monthly team meeting to get our volunteers to work as a group and further improve “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”on the La Martinerie site.

A wave of nostalgia at La Martinerie for former ESOAs
Wednesday October 11, 2023, “les Amis de La Martinerie” had the pleasure of welcoming around twenty former students of the non-commissioned officer army materiel school (ESOA) for a trip down memory lane.

Sunday October 8, visit of “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”, at La Martinerie, by former students from Issoudun
After their annual general meeting and their lunch in Vouillon, around thirty members of the association of former students of the Balzac High School, the d'Alembert high school and the Balzac middle school of Issoudun came on Sunday October 8, to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” on the La Martinerie site, a tour guided by Dominique and Jean-Jacques.

Former military musicians visiting “La Martinerie”
A Facebook page created by Christian Cardon, former Drum Major of the French army band of Châteauroux, with some help from Hervé Schalaire, allowed more than 70 former musicians of the French army band of CISM, ESMAT and Material, along with some of their spouses, to meet up in Châteauroux to remember their time in these bands.

Elected officials from the Departmental Council 36 at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
As a follow up to a meeting between the two presidents, the members of the permanent commission of the Departmental Council 36 met on our premices, on Friday September 22, 2023.

Successful "Journées Européennes du Patrimoine" 2023 at La Martinerie
Organized in collaboration with the Association for the Renovation of Military Vehicles of the Center region (ARVMC) on Saturday September 16 and Sunday September 17 to celebrate the presence of the 2nd DB in the Indre department in March/April 1945, "Les Journées Européennes du Patrimoine" 2023 (European Heritage Days 2023 - JEP2023) attracted nearly 150 visitors to La Martinerie, despite the Napoleonic days happening the same weekend.

A successful non-profit organizations gathering for “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Present on Saturday September 9 and Sunday September 10 at the Belle Isle park for the Châteauroux Métropole non-profit organizations gathering, “les Amis de La Martinerie”, in a good spirit and despite the stifling heat, welcomed numerous visitors, including members who came to meet our volunteers, and non-members who came to discover the resources of “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

Our traditional “garden party”
It was on the exceptional site of Corlay, on loan from the UNC of Châteauroux Métropole, that the 13th “garden party” of “Les Amis de La Martinerie” took place under a sunny sky.

Visit by members of GCPM Berry
This Sunday, September 3, Jean-Jacques and Dominique welcomed a new association, the “Groupement de Conservation du Patrimoine Militaire Berry” (GCPM Berry).

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” ’s new library
It is with the financial support of the Departmental Council of the Indre department that “les Amis de La Martinerie” were able to order the new cabinets intended to feature the many documents offered to the association.

An exceptional donation by the city of Déols
On Wednesday August 30, Mrs. Geneste, Mayor of Déols, welcomed a delegation from the board of “les Amis de la Martinerie” to give them the sign used, at the end of the “American era”, to mark the entrance of the village of Brassioux. This panel is therefore almost 60 years old.

Jean-Claude Dehayes, a member of our association in the spotlight
Thursday, August 10, in front of his wife, his family, his friends, the flag bearers of the union and the section, and the president of “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, Bertrand GIRAUD, departmental president of the Military Medalists, presented the 50 years honor diploma for the Military Medal to Jean-Claude DEHAYES..

A 26th flag exhibited at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Wednesday August 9, 2023, Bernard Girard, the last departmental president of the “Fédération Nationale des Mutilés et Réformés Militaires”, accompanied by Mrs Andrée ALIBERT, secretary and treasurer of the federation and of the Indre committee, were present at La Martinerie to sign the agreement regarding the donation of the flag of the federation and the Indre committee.

More and more visitors at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
A week full of visits to “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.
Travelers passing through the Indre department, locals, veterans who served on the base, associations or families, our volunteers provide enthousiastic tours of our premises to all our visitors. (About fifty visitors in the past ten days).

A moving visit – An American from San Francisco on the trail of her birthplace
Chantale SOBANIA, born on September 13, 1957 in La Martinerie, from the marriage of an American man and a French woman, wanted to see the building where she was born.

Interns of the SNU ("Service National Universel") at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Thursday, July 13, as per the Academy Inspector, Administrative Director of the National Education Services wish, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” welcomed the trainees of the 3rd session of the SNU organized by the Indre department.

Friday, July 7, the Inspectors of the “Education Nationale” (IEN) visiting La Martinerie
In the presence of Jean-Paul Obéliane, Academic Director of the National Education Services, his collaborators and the IEN of the Indre department learned about the opportunities offered, by “les Amis de La Martinerie”, to elementary school teachers from the department.

"Club Rencontres et loisirs" of Nohant-Vic at La Martinerie
Saturday, July 1, the members of the "Club Rencontres et loisirs" of Nohant-Vic, accompanied by Bruno, our vice-president, came over to learn about the history of La Martinerie and to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

Saturday, July 1, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” welcomed the participants of the "moto guzzi rally"
It was at the initiative of Jean-Pierre DEMOLI, president of the association "Les Semis des Blés d'or de Brion" (Indre) that the 55 participants of the "moto Guzzi" gathering met at La Martinerie to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

Youth, Sports and Community Life Medalists at La Martinerie
On Friday, June 30, 2023, at the initiative of Guy Chambrier, president of the Indre committee, sixty delegates, representing the 6 committees of the Youth, sports and community life medalists in the Center Val de Loire region, came at La Martinerie.

The general assembly of the association of cadets of the gendarmerie at La Martinerie
On Wednesday June 28, “les Amis de la Martinerie” had the pleasure of hosting the general assembly of the "Association des Cadets de la Gendarmerie Nationale" (ACGN).

Sunday, June 25, a casual “garden party”, with over a hundred participants
It was at the invitation of the president of UNC Châteauroux-Déols that members of “Les Amis de La Martinerie” attended the UNC Châteauroux-Déols “garden party”.

New visitors at “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”
At the initiative of APPEL (An association for the promotion of Châteauroux-Centre airport), several owners of old cars from the Creuse and Haute Vienne department met in the Indre department for a weekend of cohesion.

A 23rd flag for “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Wednesday, June 21, at the end of the GA of the association “Le Magenta”, Jean-Claude GIRARD gave us the flag of the committee of Argenton-sur Creuse of the association of Reserve officers.

Reactivation of the "Le Magenta" association (Veterans and friends of the 90th Infantry Regiment)
Gathered within the association "Le Magenta", the veterans and friends of the 90th RI had not met since their last general assembly in June 2019.

A morning of the Patron Saints faithful to tradition
The morning of the Patron Saints was created for the members of “Les Amis de La Martinerie” to continue the tradition of honoring the Patron Saint of their Arm, their Service or their professional occupation but, because of the diversity of our members, our board of directors has decided to celebrate all of them in a single event.

The visits of the week at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
This week, we had two groups visiting “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

Future school teachers at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
It is within the framework of an "academic trinomial" (National Education - Army - IHEDN Institute of Higher National Defense Studies) that future teachers of the INSPE (Superior National Institute of Teaching and Education) of the Indre department met again this year with “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, within “La Maison Départementale de la Mémoire Militaire”.

Volunteer movers
At the request of Yves Chambon, our volunteers turned into movers.
Indeed, following the dissolution of the association of Veterans of Châteauroux, Yves Chambon, former president of this association, was mandated by his former board to pass on the furniture of the association to “Les Amis de La Martinerie”.

Our volunteers in action
The volunteers of the association met this Friday, May 26 to work on improving “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”.

More visitors at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Tuesday, May 23, we had the pleasure of welcoming around twenty members of the “Amicale des Tabacs” of Châteauroux.
On Wednesday May 24, the second group from the “Les Amis des musées de Châteauroux” association came over to visit the different rooms of “La Maison Départementale de la Mémoire Militaire”.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” welcomed “Les Automobiles Anciennes de l'Indre” (AAI)
It was at the request of Frédéric Alapetite, member of the AAI and organizer of the event, that “Les Amis de La Martinerie” hosted, on Saturday May 13, for their lunch break, the first annual outing of the members of the association.

PCB Sécurité in training at La Martinerie
Partner of “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, the company PCB Sécurité used the premises of the association for a safety training on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 May 2023.

Monday April 17, twenty four Parisian high school students visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Present in the Indre department for a cultural stay, about twenty students from the private high school Catherine Labouré, located in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, accompanied by 3 teachers, learned about the military history of the Indre department on Monday 17 April.

The Society for Historical Studies of the Canton of Saint Gaultier in the footsteps of the Americans
It was as part of their traditional spring outing that, on Thursday April 13, 2023, we had the pleasure of welcoming the members of The Society for Historical Studies of the Canton of Saint Gaultier (SEHC S-G).

Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the director general of the ONaCVG visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Present in the Indre department as part of her mission, Mrs Véronique Peaucelle-Delélis, Director General of the ONaCVG (National Office for the Combatants and Victims of War), accompanied by Frantz ROY, departmental director of the ONaCVG, came to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” created and run by “Les Amis de La Martinerie”.

Sunday, April 2, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” were present at the ARVMC military show
At the invitation of Georges Rebardeau, president of the ARVMC (Association for the Restoration of Military Vehicles - Center) and organizer of the "Bourse-Expo Militaria de Châteauroux", that “Les Amis de La Martinerie” set up a display about the association and “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”

Volunteers in action
Friday, March 31, some of our volunteers met at La Martinerie to continue the development work around “la maisons départementale de la mémoire militaire” and its surroundings.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” present at the 2023 Indre tourism fair
Like in 2022, our two Marie-Claude were present at this year's tourism fair organized by the Indre Attractiveness Agency (A2I).

Renovation of the chairs in the 517th RT hall of honor
One of our elder discovered talents he didn't even know he had, and was able to renovate the 11 table chairs in the hall of honor of the 517th RT.

A regular Wednesday at La Martinerie
Friendly visits from members, just to chat, sit down, have a coffee, spend some time together,

Teachers visiting La Martinerie
A dozen visitors, including several retired teachers, visited “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” this Friday, March 17.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” support the association "Les Cadets de la Gendarmerie"
After welcoming the 25 Cadets of the Indre Gendarmerie for a visit of the “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” premises, close order sessions and a study of La Marseillaise, “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, once again, partnered with "Les Cadets de la Gendarmerie" to provide logistical support for the Cadet orienteering initiation on Wednesday February 15.

A souvenir of the Americans discovered at “La Martinerie”
Remember, on Saturday February 5, 1944 at 2:01 pm the American air force bombed the La Martinerie base occupied, at that time, by the German Air Force.
A successful general assembly
The general assembly of “Les Amis de La Martinerie” took place in Châteauroux, on Monday February 6, 2023, in the Barbillat Touraine hall, in the presence of 112 members, 74 power of attorney and a dozen of partners.

Naval troops veterans at La Martinerie
On Sunday January 29, 2023, Roland de Vassoigne and Michel Truffaut, members of “Les Amis de La Martinerie”, welcomed several memebers of the ABAOMTDM (“Association Berrichonne des Anciens d'Outre-Mer et des Troupes de Marine” / Berry association of overseas veterans and naval troops) and the GR167 of the FNAM (André Maginot federation) for their general assemblies.

“Les Amis de La Martinerie” remembers
At the initiative of one if the association member, “Les Amis de La Martinerie” became interested in the sinking of the submarine “La Minerve”, which disappeared at sea on January 27, 1968.

The Indre Reserve Officers General Assembly at La Martinerie
It is with great sadness that the members the Indre Reserve Officers association met for the last time. An ultimate general assembly to ratify the dissolution of their association.

The former legionnaires of the Indre department general assembly
Saturday January 14, 2023, as for 2022, the legionnaires of the Indre department held their general assembly on the “les Amis de La Martinerie” premises.

The last visit of 2022 to La Martinerie
It is the new Departmental Fire and Rescue Director, Colonel Stéphane Calimache, who closed the 2022 cycle of visits.
He was accompanied by his family and by Jérôme Pische, a visiting member.

A great way to keep 2 dozen of kids busy on a rainy day
Following up with their initial visit, a little over a year ago, the Clique family finally came back, but this time, with brothers, wives and children.

Reserve officers and non-commissioned officers of the Departmental Military Delegation (DMD 36) visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
On Wednesday December 7, 2022, “les Amis de La Martinerie” had the pleasure of welcoming Lieutenant-Colonel Drapeau, Departmental Military Delegate, Captain Eurin, his Deputy, the staff, as well as numerous reserve officers and non-commissioned officers, from the DMD (Departmental Military Delegation), for a visit of the “Maison Départementale de la Mémoire Militaire Indrienne”.

The Renault R 2087 N van returns to its carport at “les Amis de La Martinerie”
This Wednesday, November 30, a team of volunteers, led by Dominique and Philippe, finished setting up the old Renault van carport.

The "Belle Etoile – Sports et Loisirs" association from Chateauroux visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
Following up with our first meeting during the association forum, about ten members of the "Belle Etoile – Sports et Loisirs" association came to visit “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” on Tuesday afternoon, November 22.

About twenty volunteers present for the “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire” clean up day
The tradition was respected, our biannual cleanup took place with a cheerful attitude, on Thursday, November 17.

The R 2087 N van arrives at “la maison départementale de la mémoire militaire”
It is with the active support of Georges Rebardeau, president of the ARVMC, our loyal partner, assisted by his two acolytes, Daniel and François, reinforced by Dominique and Philippe, two of our loyal volunteers, that the Renault R 2087 N van, stored since December 2021 in the premises of the CNTS, finally arrived on the “les Amis de La Martinerie” premises this Monday, November 14, 2022 for a total renovation.

Kids from the Fernand Maillaud primary school in Etrechet visiting “les Amis de La Martinerie”
As part of the preparation for the commemoration of November 11, the students of two classes from the Etrechet primary school came to visit the premises of “les Amis de La Martinerie” on Tuesday afternoon, November 8.

Thursday, November 3: Operation “Insulation” at La Martinerie
The renovation of Building 001 continues. This Thursday, November 3, a team of volunteers was on the site of “la maison de la mémoire militaire” to evacuate the old glass wool insulation from the ceilings and to replace, part of it, by a better one.
