Normandy Memorial

[grumpy01]

Just been watching the coverage on the British Normandy Memorial.All those 22,000 names of servicemen who died inscribed on the pillars above Gold beech.Very humbling to see on TV and it must be very moving to see close up.My own late Father was fortunate that he was one of those who landed on the 7th June when they had begun to get off the beech and move in land.

[naomi24]

I've been to those beaches on the anniversary of the landings. Very moving.

[emmie]

i would think that it would be very moving being there.

[Redhelen72]

Have been to the Normandy landings several times and met some wonderful veterans.
Had a laugh and a cry with a few of them.

[Gramps82]

I believe visiting any of these memorials is a truly moving experience and for those who have not been there I can recommend The National Arboretum in Staffordshire. All services are remembered as well as those civilian organisations such as the emergency services etc which also have their own memorials. Some times, if you are lucky, a Regiment may be having their own memorial service which in itself can bring tears to eyes.

[fender62]

valiant men respect with a fitting memorial, i wonder with todays anti war, anti pollution insulation etc etc, what thye would do erm capitulate to a hitler like enemy, even take sides..all the enemy has to do is say, yea clean the planet, insulate all homes for free, free money for all the unemployable for life, latest gadgets and holidays in the sun, car to ferry all the kiddies your having, definitely ban your bombs.

[jourdain2]

I, too have visited the Normandy beaches and environs when I lived in
France. When you stand at the edge of the sea and look around, you realise what a big 'ask' it was of all those men.

This weekend I discovered that a cousin of my husband's mother (Canadian emigre) had been amongst those in the van at Dieppe, Aug. '42, and was one of the 1,000 killed there. I'm still coming to terms with the fact that months earlier he had saved Mr. J2's mum's life - her house was bombed and the ARP thought it was empty - he knew she'd been in, so they dug - and found her. I've just finished writing a story about it. He was called Percy.

Sorry, I've moved away from the question, but I am feeling very moved on the behalf of all those men right now.

[Canary42]

Amazing how moving such events/sites can be. When I visited my father's War Grave in Rome Cemetery in 1985 I was quite shaken by how much it affected me although I was only 5 weeks old when he left for the Western Desert so I have no memories of him.

The Commonwealth War Graves people do a wonderful job keeping these sites in good order.