D-Day Commemoration, Portsmouth

[naomi24]

Britain does these things so very well!

Lump in throat, tear in eye – and that from someone who wasn’t around on D-Day but is nevertheless eternally grateful for the sacrifice made by that generation. I hope it is never forgotten. Heartfelt thanks to them all.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48522401

[mushroom25]

//Think if Baldric had have been there, He would have been the First Man on the Beach, No Doubt. //

it's fine to snipe safe in the knowledge that the action is now 75 years away - but bear in mind some of the first out of the landing craft never made it to the beach. some craft dropped their troops too far out, where they were out of their depth, and the weight of their equipment pulled them under and they drowned.

[ParsleyDumpling]

My Grandad was in one of those gliders. He helped liberate Arnhem, after the war he used to visit the school children of the town and talk to them about the war. The children had "adopted" the war graves and help maintain them. My Grandad was is no longer here, but I will always be eternally grateful grateful to him and his generation for the sacrifices they made made for our future.

[zebo]

I recall in 1980 being on the ferry and we got talking to some veterens going for the 40th anniversary of Dunkirk, they were amazing to talk to. One old chap got a lot of stick, 'Shouldn't be here, he stood on the mole, never even got his feet wet!'

Today was a mega-tissue day though.

I've just been watching the pictures from Portsmouth on Sky News, can their commentators not complete a sentence without Er every three words?

[ParsleyDumpling]

Please excuse my bad grammer in the above reply, it has taken three attempts to post an answer on this thread.

[agchristie]

It is one of those rare days for a young one like me to say how eternally proud I am of all those brave men.

Heroes one and all.

[DTCwordfan]

doesn't matter, retro......if you were number one, two, or fifty two in both events (or rather all from the front landing craft), you would have been exposed to taking a bullet, a mine going up or shrapnel from an incoming missile - or even one from your mates behind.... those that survived were lucky and they know it. All credit to them as well, whatever nationality.....

[Tilly2]

It was a fitting, pertinent ceremony and rightly deserved that the day should be remembered and honoured.
Thank you for what you did.

[Ken4155]

derekpara; i'll bet that was an awesome - if slightly scary - sight. I know they were our planes up there, but to see the sky filled with aircraft must have been somewhat spooky.

[Ken4155]

John Snow on Channel 4 news said that he can't recall the last time he was moved to tears during an interview but it happened to him today when he interviewed one of those who survived to tell the tale. To some, when these old guys (and gals) remark on how they themselves owe so much to the fallen, it can sound a tad blase. But you only have to look in the eyes of these people as they utter the words to know they mean it 100%.

[naomi24]

Some interesting accounts here. Please keep them coming.

[youngmafbog]

So sad some on here have used this very sincere thread to snipe and attack. No call for it whatsoever and shows the people for what they are.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all those that fought for the freedom I have today.

[Khandro]

When you're storming Sword Beach and all you have is this and your mates to give you courage, you know you have balls of steel.

://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1McamtJK08

[Khandro]