D day

[saundra]

I'm just watching a BBC program from Portsmouth
I like things like these
I remember seeing an American war cemetery in France it was heartbreaking
My uncle was rescued from Dunkirk
Bill and I had some lovely holidays in Portsmouth southeast

[Ally]

We've got that on too Saundra.

[Kaz]

I saw a really touching item on the ITV news yesterday - some children in a village in Northern France handing out flowers to veterans of D Day and singing them songs. Made me well up, and even Mary Nightingale on the news was wiping her eyes as the credits came down

Vey very moving indeed xxxx

[Dippytrout]

Personally İ am impressed that we remember these things, given the state of the world in general and also that the Queen went to France for the memorial service (fair play)

Lost an uncle at Dunkirk and another spent years in Changy, came back, never married, lived with his mother until she died and then lived a very solitary life.

Such a waste of lives

And did we ever learn the lessons ...................... No

Currently listening to very soulful music form just after the second world war with my new house mate

Take care, be safe

DT

DT

[Kaz]

Mick's great uncle was in Changi too ((((x))))

[JoM]

It's made rather emotional viewing hasn't it I was watching in the gym this morning and, being in public, had to change channels.

We have a war cemetery just up the road from us, on Cannock Chase. It's very sobering to see all of those graves and to look closer and see the young ages of the dead. I think there are around 5000 German and Austrian servicemen buried there

We've also been to the National Memorial Arboretum just outside of Lichfield, the boys have attended memorials when they were in the Sea Scouts. It's so moving and humbling to see the wall of names of all servicemen killed, year by year, and horrible to see the space on there for more names to be added

[Kaz]

[Aggers]

It was fascinating viewing, and brought back many memories.

If only we had now the same general motivation and spirit that we had in those days.

Sadly, "this earth, this realm, this England" is not the place it used to be.

One thing puzzles me - what is so special about 70 years ?

[Kaz]

It is because this will be the last 10 year anniversary - they have been doing them since '84, the 40th - where there will be more than a handful of veterans still living. They have said this will be the last official one, so I think that is why xxx

[Workingman]

70 years confused me as well, Aggers. Maybe the thinking is that far fewer will be still with for a 75th anniversary.

I must be one of only a few who is slightly uncomfortable with some aspects of the whole thing. I have no problem, none at all, with sombre acts of Remembrance, but some of the reenactments have taken on a slight celebratory air, which I find a bit embarrassing.