75 years ago...
Today marks the 75th Anniversary of D Day and it is a moment to remember those who were involved in the landings and those who never made it home alive.
Locals who were children at the time shared their very fond memories with us, and told us how they had woken one morning to find them gone without even a goodbye. The soldiers who were living here were on the first assault of Omaha Beach where the casualties were so high.
It has been emotional the last few days watching the elderly veterans recreating the journey they made on D-Day.My Dad was involved in the invasion of Normandy but was lucky enough to have been on D Day +15 so didn't face the same obstacles as those who were first there on D Day.
These anniversaries make you stop, think and remember. Without them such great and brave men could easily be forgotten.
Sarah x
A great day indeed for so many, and for those who are still with us who were part of this, I hope they know how much their heroic acts and commitment mean to us all.
ReplyDeleteThe world owes them so much. Lest we forget!
ReplyDeleteIt’s good that commemorations continue to happen. Fascinating to listen to all the 90plus year olds recalling their stories. We have a lot to be thankful for. B x
ReplyDeleteIt is moving as you say to watch all these elderly veterans coming back to the beaches. Of course from the television here in the US we see the US veterans, but I guess you also see the UK veterans in your country – there were so many soldiers there in Normandy, and troops coming as far as New Zealand and India (that was part of the British Empire then.) I remember as a girl we went on holiday at Courseulles-sur-Mer in Normandie that had been called “Juno Beach” during D Day. That is where 14,000 Canadians and 9,000 British soldiers landed, and unfortunately 50% lost their lives. When I was there (in the early 1950s) there were still a couple of destroyed boats not far from the beach. We cannot forget what all these brave men and women did.
ReplyDeleteLovely post - we sometimes forget how our beaches are the front line in our defences.
ReplyDeleteMy late father-in-law was in the D-Day landings but never spoke about it until the 60th anniversary, when I questioned him about it. So many men lived in silence with the memory of losing friends and so many families still mourn their lost heroes.
Thank you for reminding us :)
It's very good that you had this exhibition to remember those men, so many were killed to start the liberation and as I am sure you know a lot of men left from south Devon ports as well. There are many reminders around here of D Day and I find it very poignant just thinking about what they had to go through.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post about a important day...
ReplyDeleteLove, Titti
Moving thoughts, Sarah. Omaha was terrible.
ReplyDeleteWe shall never forget!! Thanks for posting about this anniversary!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post. ❤️
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com