Eighty years to the day since he was executed by the Nazis near Paris, Armenian Missak Manouchian, figure of the French Resistance, takes his place in Paris's Panthéon mausoleum alongside other French national heroes on Wednesday, February 21. His induction is seen as a tribute to all foreign Resistance fighters.
"I joined the Army of Liberation as a volunteer, and I die within inches of victory and the final goal. I wish for happiness for all those who will survive and taste the sweetness of the freedom and peace of tomorrow. I’m sure that the French people, and all those who fight for freedom, will know how to honour our memory with dignity." Two hours before he was shot at Fort Mont-Valérien in the western Paris suburb of Suresnes, Missak Manouchian wrote a final letter in which he expressed the hope that his adopted country would not forget his sacrifice.
