Yesterday, 6 June, was the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the storming in 1944 of Normandy French beaches by allied forces during WW2. Thousands of allied troops perished in the endeavour but it proved to be a significant turning point in the war, spearheading the liberation of France and Western Europe from the Nazis. There were commemorative events across the UK and in Europe, notably in Normandy itself, where state leaders gathered to honour the few remaining veterans and to remember those who died. I found it sobering and poignant, especially in view of the new threats to the continent from Russia's actions in Ukraine.
I happened to be in Leeds to do some shopping and realised that a commemoration around the civic war memorial was taking place. It was relatively short but nicely judged: speeches from Ed Anderson, HM Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, and the Lord Mayor (currently a woman, Councillor Abigail Marshall Katung), prayers, two minutes silence, and the laying of a few wreaths.
There was a piper, and a bugler playing the Last Post, as is traditional at such events. Later, beacons were lit across the country as another tribute to those who fought for our freedom.
It doesn't seem so long ago that we realised there were very few survivors from the First World War. Now that we are losing connection with WWII it seems more important than ever that we remember.
ReplyDeleteYes, as said in an interview with Tom Hanks, "If it weren't for them, none of us would be here today."
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