Spanning the Decades: 2010s

2010s

The war memorials and cemeteries in Normandy are profoundly moving. They are beautifully kept and tended. Line after line of white tombstones fill acres of land overlooking the beaches that witnessed D-Day and its aftermath. However many times I visit, I am moved.

Visiting the site of the Normandy Landings has become big business. This year it will be particularly busy, because in June we reach the 75^th anniversary of D-day. This will be the last time, I imagine, that any veterans will make the journey.

I was in Normandy for the 70^th anniversary, when by chance we travelled out to France accompanied by a number of veterans. They marched onto the boat in formation, and we were accompanied out of Portsmouth by a naval escort, in honour of the men. Also on the boat were any number of jeeps and motorbikes dating back to the 1940s. The mood was a combination of a festival and something rather more solemn.

This is Omaha Beach today. I remember taking my son and some friends there when they were about twelve, and they were nervous of playing on the beach. They were concerned it was disrespectful, somehow.

My own view is that not playing on those beaches would be sadder far. Let’s never forget the sacrifices those soldiers made, but let’s also celebrate the freedom we enjoy as a result.