Veterans arrive in France for D-Day anniversary - 80 years

[Barbara Fan]

I find this so moving watching the events to commemorate the 80s anniversary of the D Day landings when a lot of brave men and women gave their lives to keep us free and safe from tyranny and a german dictator

Its very unlikely that many will be around at the 85th anniversary, as they are nearing 100 or older and I find it so humbling

Thank you seems so inadequate - such brave people - To all who serve, then and now - Thank you, and to all who lost their lives defending our nation, there are really no words

My dad was brought up on the kent coast - too young to join up, but knew something was afoot as the place had been full of soldiers and then one day they had all gone! The camps were empty - and sadly many to their deaths

Im always interested in looking at Commonwealth graves if im in a churchyard and they are so well maintained, but heartbreaking to read the age of some boys no more than 17 or of an unknown soldier.

D-Day 80: Veterans arrive in France for D-Day anniversary

The group threw a wreath into the sea to remember those who never made it to shore.

www.bbc.co.uk

This makes me cry, everytime i watch it

 

[Jock Ewing Fan]

Today is the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Landings/D-Day.
It was the event that laid the foundation for the Allied Victory in Europe.

These soldiers sacrificed so much for our freedoms.
We must always honor their memory.

I hope to see more people express their appreciation on this thread.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Id make every one in our country watch a D day documentary - so many people i work with aged 30 or under have very little idea of history in general and little knowledge of 20th century which i find very sad - also a sad state of the education system

They gave their lives for our freedom - and it should be aknowledged

 

[Michelle Stevens]

Let us never forget their sacrifices.

My grandfather was a D-Day veteran. He landed near Hamel-au-Pretre on Omaha Beach on the 29th division carrier. I'm lucky, he survived the war and I had thirty-five years of fond memories of him.

 

[Long Lashes]

My great-uncle (my Mums Uncle) now passed away at age 102 years, spent his life as a market gardener, was a mild mannered man, an old fashioned gentleman who worked hard and who was proud of his children and then grandchildren, great grandchildren.

He served during the war and after returning home refused to talk about what he had witnessed or what he had to do. It affected him so deeply that he wouldn't mention the war for the rest of his life.



Bless him and all who fought for our freedom.

 

[Karin]

I remember visiting the coast of Normandie on vacation in 2002. It was really sad seeing all the white crosses in the cemetary. But having visited Auschwitz on my vacation the year before I understood what their sacrifice was for.

I think it's important for young people to visit places like that.

It's also amazing that some of the brave men who were a part of D-Day are still alive.

Also on a side note, over in Sweden, June 6th is our national day. It's because Gustav Vasa was elected king on that day.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

As an aside:

The Normandy coda which opened and closed SAVING PRIVATE RYAN almost ruined the movie.

It was a great idea, but poorly executed, drippingly maudlin in its cheesy presentation. But Spielberg became more cynically manipulative as a film maker as time went on.