The village of Racrange was liberated by the Americans on November 15, 1944.
Barely two weeks later, Victor Dreyer, a farmer, and his son Gilbert, were returning from Rodalbe, where they had been preparing for the return of their family, who had been expelled to the Dordogne.
The German army had protected their retreat by planting mines on the path through the forest.
The wheels of the wagon triggered the explosion that sent the entire team flying into the trees;
Twelve-year-old Gilbert was killed instantly; his father died the next day.
The explosion, heard as far away as the newly liberated village, plunged Racrange into deep disarray.
His other son, Bernard, would serve as mayor of the town for 24 years.
This memorial, erected in their memory on the Chemin de la Seille by the family, reminds us of our vigilance in defending peace, freedom, and our democracy.