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Yes, thank you to all veterans and their families, we will never forget.

News from France :
It's at this time a very beautiful sunny day for the commemoration of the Normandy June 6, 1944 ! I went several times on these beaches (and will again), and each time, I find the same emotion that often makes you want to cry.
I recommend to everyone who has the opportunity to come one day to visit France to go in Normandy on these beaches full of memory : This is strange sensations. You do not forget.
In Normandy, after seeing allied military cemeteries, you'll understand what is the cost of freedom !
That's why, in France, we are very numerous to have a special thought every year in june for the brave fighters who participated in this historic moment.
We will never forget their sacrifice made ​​for our freedom.
God bless them forever.

Agree with you Pibber
I will go tomorrow in Normandy and will try to post some photos of what happening these days, for sharring.

Greaaat !

Truly a day to remember and take a moment.

We have this longest day because of so many.

Was in Normandy last weekend for 4 days. Amazing experience.

Travelled from Le Havre to Merville, Pegagsus Bridge, Ouistreham, Arromanche, Bayeaux, round Caen, along Goodwood, up to the Totalize plateau, down to Falaise, round Thury-Harcourt and to Grimbosq. All over really.

Visited as many cemeteries as we could. Most we'd been to before. They always bring a tear.

The cemetery at Bayeaux is just beautiful. All the headstones have been re-done in marble and they look brand new.

The best thing though is that ordinary French people visit the cemeteries with their families. I met a young mother walking round Bayeaux with two sweet little children, the youngest of whom must have been only 3 or so, and the beautiful little girl babbled at me in French with a big smile on her face. I couldn't understand a word she was saying but the fact that they were there visiting our boys said it all. Beautiful.

I've never felt so welcome as a Brit as in Normandy. Often travelling in Europe I feel unwelcome, but not here. Everywhere we went we were greeted with smiles and warmth.

I still feel sad and guilty though remembering the staggering losses the French civilians suffered from our bombing. And why did they bomb Caen? Aaarrrgggh! It makes me mad. It didn't do anything except kill French people and give the Germans more cover. Bad.

But the French even put up with our poor French and try a few words of English they have with us and we try a bit of our French. We get by, usually with a few smiles. We even got directions to the nearest cafe.

Even driving on the wrong side of the road was getting to feel normal with us after 4 days. The French do seem to drive too fast though, and 4 inches is definitely not a safe distance to be off someones back bumper.

But the food is to die for. Provided you can find somewhere open.

We're going back next year. I need to learn more French. M'em chose (I'll have the same) and Guardez Le Monie (keep the change) only get you so far

After 50 years I'm finally not scared of going to France. That's progress.

And for the Canadians...

Was at Juno beach last Sunday as they were preparing for today's celebration.

The Juno Museum staff were preparing 300+ brass plaques mounted on wooden posts arranged next to the Museum, one for each lost at Juno on D-Day.

Found a post front and centre bearing a plaque of a soldier with my surname of a Canadian from Ontario killed 6th June. Found that he was with his brother as they went ashore and his brother survived.

Story described here:
http://speeches.empireclub.org/62799/data?n=31

Fred and Don Barnard – 'Go Canada!'

Plaque pictures here, Juno_2014:
http://1drv.ms/1kIU2yH

Best Regards,

Bry Barnard, Wells, Somerset, England

It's not easy for me to explain my feelings in English, so i will post some photos of the passed days in Normandy ...(this year i was more in the US areas)

Omaha WN62, front the position of Franz Gockel , where so many brave died and tryed to find a place for protection

You should see this video even there is a french introduction : http://www.ina.fr/video/R09167678

from the WN60 extrem east of Omaha in front the WN62, the WN60 is the first strong point take a 9h00 AM, the WN 62 will be taken in the afternoon.




Extrem west of Omaha beach, strong point with Pak43




A dakota near Arromanches


Some us and german Vehicles



Near Carentan and swamp area a waco some dakota






Since childhood i went several time in Allies cemetaries, this year it was the first time in a German cemetarie, i will come back again...

My grandpa (then a captain as I understand it) was captured 6 days after D-day while performing liaison duties for his regiment. His driver was killed in the ambush. He spent the duration as a POW.

Thanks for posting these remembrances, photos, and video.

Best Regards
Leif

Great photos kampfgruppe - thanks for posting.

I visited the German Cemetery at La Cambe last year, in March and it was 5 degs. It felt a really sad place compared to the Allied cemeteries.

It is good to go there though, as the Germans lost people too.

One thing I noticed about the British Cemeteries - there are a lot of Germans buried there too.

I found most impressive the German cemetery of Mont d'Huisnes in Avrance area.

It is completely different from the other sites with its mausoleum.

BTW from the top of it you can see Mont St. Michel.

Thank you very much for these pictures kampfgruppe
(Very good selection of photos )

Reminder.....

What a night though it's one of Severn.
What a night for the dancing dead.
What a night to be called to heaven.
What a picture to fill your head.
Les Morts Dansant.

The longest day. Make the most of it.