Kev35

You took a lot of time yesterday paying tribute to the events of 64 years ago, you did so very elequently and I think that wer’e all the better for it, thank you for your efforts.
A slight interruption, a very loud racket has caused me to run outside to witness an SAR Sea King pass low over the house in low cloud and driving rain, it is relevant, it’s modern day servicemen going about their duties in similar weather as of 64 years ago, only they are putting their own lives at risk to save others, rather than destroy them.
Next year will be the 65th anniversary of D-Day, it will probably be the last meaningful celebration on French soil, the survivors grow fewer every year.
Personally Kev, I would start planning a trip now, as from what you say, you haven’t been there, it may be your only chance to get a flavour of events, particularly if you go with a veteran, well, thats a must, there wouldn’t be much point otherwise.
I gather from previous comments that you have disabilities, don’t let that bother you, you can drive about so easily, it’s not all about scrambling up cliffs into bunkers, you can park up, take it all in and reflect.
Taking my old man back in 1994 was a revelation, it was probably one of the best weeks I ever had in my life.
What got me was when we found his landing point at Arromanches, ‘Ooh this was it, I came up this beach access, the German prisoners were streaming back the other way with their hands on their heads, I’d never seen German troops before, they looked terrified, the poor sods’.
He was lucky, he didn’t have to fight his way off the beach, that came later when they were shelled with 88’s at their assembly point.
A final comment, my little note and flowers are still in position on the roadside, the people of Braintree obviously have respect.