‘Scarred' but ‘Stronger' France Honors Terror Attack Victims

France on Friday honored the 130 lives lost two weeks ago in coordinated terror attacks in Paris and the president pledged to "destroy the army of fanatics" responsible for the massacre, NBC News reported. 

Each name and age was read aloud inside the Invalides national monument. French President Francois Hollande noted that most were under the age of 35, killed while enjoying a mild Friday night of music, food, drinks or sports.

"The ordeal has scarred us all, but it will make us stronger," Hollande said. "I have confidence in the generation to come. Generations before have also had their identity forged in the flower of youth. The attack of Nov. 13 will remain in the memory of today's youth as a terrible initiation in the hardness of the world. But also as an invitation to combat it by creating a new commitment," he said.

Throughout Paris, French flags fluttered in windows in uncharacteristic displays of patriotism. The mood remained grim, however, and the locked-down ceremony lacked the defiance of January, when a million people poured took to the streets to honor those killed by Islamic extremist gunmen, according to The Associated Press. 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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