Honoring the Last Heroes of D-Day: A Farewell to the Veterans Who Freed Europe

[Social Media]

 

On the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, surviving veterans gathered in Normandy to pay tribute to the fallen and receive the gratitude of the world. This momentous event, likely the last major anniversary for many of these brave individuals, was marked by emotional ceremonies and the presence of world leaders who acknowledged the immense sacrifices made for the sake of freedom.

 

As the diminishing number of D-Day heroes assembled, they were met with heartfelt expressions of appreciation from global leaders. "Our gratitude is unfailing, and our admiration eternal," declared the King, encapsulating the day's sentiment. His words emphasized the importance of passing on the baton of remembrance to future generations.

Watch as this plane made of drones lit up the night sky over the English port city of Portsmouth on June 5, the eve of the 80th anniversary of D-Day ✨✈️ pic.twitter.com/odMJOYY4cB

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 6, 2024

 

On the beach at Asnelles, the Royal Marines of 47 Commando recreated a beach landing, giving a new generation a glimpse into the immense challenges faced by their predecessors. At Arromanches, a lone piper retraced the steps of a comrade from generations past, playing during the first landings in an effort to boost morale. Prince William spoke to the incredible bravery of those who stormed the beaches, stating, "It is almost impossible to grasp the courage it would have taken to run into the fury of battle that very day." The King, addressing British veterans, underscored the sentiment of the hour: the last major anniversary for many of the surviving veterans. "Our ability to learn from their stories at first hand diminishes," he said, "but our obligation to remember them, what they stood for and what they achieved for us all can never diminish."

King Charles addresses crowds at the British Normandy Memorial, as world leaders and veterans gather to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Latest from the anniversary events here: https://t.co/CfQB7cpZTc pic.twitter.com/EVf0FqJidl

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 6, 2024

 

The commemorations were filled with moving personal testimonies from the veterans themselves. At the British Normandy Memorial service, 99-year-old Joe Mines, who landed on Ver-sur-Mer at the age of 19 and had not returned since, shared his harrowing experiences. "Why would I come back?" he asked, detailing the horrors he witnessed and his desire to pay respects to those who did not survive. His words, read by actor Martin Freeman, brought tears to many, including the King and Queen.

 

Arthur Oborne, 100, recalled how a friend saved his life after he was shot in the lung three days after arriving on Gold Beach. That friend, Walter Gummerson, was killed the next day. "I wish I could tell him that I have never taken his sacrifice for granted," said Mr. Oborne. "So Gummy, thank you, my old friend."

 

The first D-Day anniversary to be held at the British Normandy Memorial saw veterans, some in wheelchairs, others with family or carers, honored for their sacrifices. The King and Queen, along with President and Madame. Macron, attended the service, which was punctuated by moments of profound silence and the sound of birdsong. In his speech, the King reflected on the resolve and determination of the wartime generation. He quoted George Batts, a veteran who proposed the British Normandy Memorial: "We left a lot of mates behind, and now I know they will never be forgotten."

 

Across the coastline, separate ceremonies honored the contributions of UK, US, and Canadian forces. President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and other world leaders paid their respects. Biden, born in 1942, was visibly moved, wiping away tears as footage from 1944 played.

 

The day's events culminated with a tribute to the enduring legacy of the D-Day veterans. The King, undergoing cancer treatment, cut his day shorter but made sure to honor the veterans personally. Wearing his Field Marshal No 4 Tropical Service dress uniform, he and the Queen opened the new Sir Winston Churchill Centre for Education and Learning.

 

As the day ended, veterans received standing ovations, and the celebrations continued into the night. The words of gratitude, the shared memories, and the solemn tributes ensured that the sacrifices of these heroes would never be forgotten. As one son embraced his veteran father, the importance of remembering and honoring these sacrifices was clear to all present. The shouts of "hip hip hooray" echoed through Ver-sur-Mer, a fitting tribute to the men who had given so much for the freedom of future generations.

 

 

Credit: Daily Telegraph 2024-06-07

 

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[Tug]

It must never have to happen again we must stand together and fight for democracy against and demigod that try’s to kill it (foreign and domestic)!

[thaibeachlovers]

Funny old world we live in. The Russians that did so much to divert a large part of the German army from Europe, didn't get an invite.

Of course Biden took the opportunity to bring modern politics into a commemoration of what happened over 70 years ago.

 

[Denim]

21 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Funny old world we live in. The Russians that did so much to divert a large part of the German army from Europe, didn't get an invite.

Of course Biden took the opportunity to bring modern politics into a commemoration of what happened over 70 years ago.

 

 

Why would Russians get an invite to a D Day anniversary event which they took no part in ?

[Tug]

16 minutes ago, Denim said:

 

Why would Russians get an invite to a D Day anniversary event which they took no part in ?

And for their benefit as well,unfortunately now they are the aggressor using almost verbatim hitlers excuse.thankfully the democratic nations dident try to appease the aggressor like last time!!

[nauseus]

6 hours ago, Denim said:

Why would Russians get an invite to a D Day anniversary event which they took no part in ?

 

They were not invited because they have invaded Ukraine but they have been invited before. If there been no eastern front with Russia in WW2, then the Germans would have had more divisions to deploy in France that could well have resulted in complete disaster and a failed invasion. 

[Denim]

4 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

They were not invited because they have invaded Ukraine but they have been invited before. If there been no eastern front with Russia in WW2, then the Germans would have had more divisions to deploy in France that could well have resulted in complete disaster and a failed invasion. 

 

You forgot to add :

 

Not many people know that.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, Denim said:

 

Why would Russians get an invite to a D Day anniversary event which they took no part in ?

Did you miss the part of my post that referenced how the Russians diverted so much of the German army that success on D Day was even possible?

 

Did you also miss that during WW2 Russia was an ally of the Allies.

[nauseus]

1 minute ago, Denim said:

 

You forgot to add :

 

Not many people know that.

 

Add for what? You know now, eh?

[Jingthing]

Just now, thaibeachlovers said:

Did you miss the part of my post that referenced how the Russians diverted so much of the German army that success on D Day was even possible?

 

Did you also miss that during WW2 Russia was an ally of the Allies.

That was the USSR.

Now we have fascist Putin's Russia which not so mysteriously western fascists such as the maga morons admire.

It's true that the west exaggerates their role in WW2 and so does Russia. They were indeed both needed.

[Jingthing]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Funny old world we live in. The Russians that did so much to divert a large part of the German army from Europe, didn't get an invite.

Of course Biden took the opportunity to bring modern politics into a commemoration of what happened over 70 years ago.

 

Biden said exactly what was needed at this point in history  in that speech but I get that western Putin lovers were not pleased.

 

 

Bonus:

 

 

Edited June 7 by Jingthing

[Denim]

Just now, thaibeachlovers said:

Did you miss the part of my post that referenced how the Russians diverted so much of the German army that success on D Day was even possible?

 

Did you also miss that during WW2 Russia was an ally of the Allies.

 

Talk about stating the obvious.   

 

But hey ho.......what goes around comes arouind.

 

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

https://tass.com/politics/1785923

 

Did you miss that if there had been no second front at Normandy the Germans would have had many divisions and aircraft to throw at the Russian  and push them back East. Duh

 

[JonnyF]

5 minutes ago, Denim said:

 

You forgot to add :

 

Not many people know that.

 

Actually a lot of people know it.

 

Just not you. Obviously. 

[thaibeachlovers]

10 minutes ago, nauseus said:

 

They were not invited because they have invaded Ukraine but they have been invited before. If there been no eastern front with Russia in WW2, then the Germans would have had more divisions to deploy in France that could well have resulted in complete disaster and a failed invasion. 

A guaranteed failure IMO. Success was by no means guaranteed by the Allies, and had the Germans had more reinforcements available likely the Allies would never have left the beaches. Without resupply, the paratroops would have had to surrender. Only need to look at the bridge too far to know that an army fights on it's resupply.

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Biden did exactly what was needed in that speech but I get that western Putin lovers were not pleased.

 

I'm surprised he didn't claim his son died on the beaches of Normandy.

[nauseus]

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That was the USSR.

Now we have fascist Putin's Russia which not so mysteriously western fascists such as the maga morons admire.

It's true that the west exaggerates their role in WW2 and so does Russia. They were indeed both needed.

 

It was Russia. Communist, but still Russia.

 

I think your claim about MAGA/Trump and fans supporting Russia is just BS. You just can't help yourself, can you??

Edited June 7 by nauseus
+ line 2.

[Denim]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

Actually a lot of people know it.

 

Just not you. Obviously. 

 

Pathetic.

 

Everybody knows that the Russians and western nations were allies , even you.

 

 

[nauseus]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

 

I'm surprised he didn't claim his son died on the beaches of Normandy.

 

And that there were cannibals in the dunes.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, nauseus said:

 

It was Russia. Communist, but still Russia.

No it was the USSR. 

Putin's Russia is a different country.

You didn't know that?!?

[Jingthing]

Just now, Denim said:

 

Pathetic.

 

Everybody knows that the Russians and western nations were allies , even you.

 

 

You'd have to be painfully ignorant not to know that.

[Jingthing]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

I'm surprised he didn't claim his son died on the beaches of Normandy.

Biden Derangement Syndrome?

[JonnyF]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Biden Derangement Syndrome?

 

Nah, just poking fun at his propensity to tell lies. 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, Denim said:

 

Talk about stating the obvious.   

 

But hey ho.......what goes around comes arouind.

 

Russia didn’t invite officials from unfriendly countries to victory parade, diplomat says

https://tass.com/politics/1785923

 

Did you miss that if there had been no second front at Normandy the Germans would have had many divisions and aircraft to throw at the Russian  and push them back East. Duh

 

All you prove is that both the Russians and the Allies depended on each other for success. Without either likely failure.

BTW, Russia defeated Germany in Russia before D Day. The Battle of Kursk July 5–August 23, 1943, was the beginning of the end for Germany in the Soviet Union. So duh to you too.

[Tropicalevo]

A great event celebrating the few remaining here and their fallen comrades.

A huge thank you to all of those who fought for freedom and democracy from someone who wasn't around at the time.

You will not be forgotten.

[Khyron]

The last of the greatest generation, there will probably never be another group of people like them.

 

 

[Denim]

35 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

All you prove is that both the Russians and the Allies depended on each other for success. Without either likely failure.

 

Exactly. Has anyone on this thread said otherwise ?

 

 By the way, if you are interested in every minute detail of WW2 may I suggest watching Mark Feltons Youtube videos

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mark+Felton

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

1 minute ago, Denim said:

 

Exactly. Has anyone on this thread said otherwise ?

 

 By the way, if you are interested in every minute detail of WW2 may I suggest watching Mark Feltons Youtube videos

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Mark+Felton

 

 

Thanks but I think I learned enough about WW2 as a young man to not need any U Tube VDOs.

The main takeaway is that it was not a sure thing at all for the Allies. But for the Spitfire, The Enigma decoder and Hitler Britain may have fallen, ergo no base for D Day. I say Hitler, as his wrong decisions helped Britain when it needed a break. Eg deciding to stop attacking airfields during Battle of Britain and bomb London instead, saved the British airforce.

[thaibeachlovers]

17 minutes ago, Khyron said:

The last of the greatest generation, there will probably never be another group of people like them.

 

 

That's a given. Does anyone think that the present young adults of western countries would last more that a few days in a real WW? It took hard men to win WW2, not obese youths that spend their time in mummy's basement looking at porn?

[Denim]

13 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thanks but I think I learned enough about WW2 as a young man to not need any U Tube VDOs.

 

As did I , a very interesting period of history but I am always eager to learn.

 

Just yesterday I was surprised to learn that Britain and Canada shipped half of the Valentine tanks they produced to Russia . Altogether 3762 of these tanks. were sent to Russia  Many of these  saw action outside Moscow in 1941 stopping the Germans .

 

The Russians also sent sample tanks to Britain and America and Britain considered cloning the T34 to re equip the British army but surprisingly the scrapped the idea.

 

Mark Felton is not any old Youtube Vlogger . He is a respected auther and historian and has taught at several universities including 9 years in China at Shanghai and Fudan universities. Well worth watching .

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Felton

 

 

[bannork]

Fighters against fascism and authoritarianism embrace .