I hope you all got a chance to take part in the D-Day 65th anniversary commemorations last month.

While the great and good travelled to Normandy for a service of Remembrance in Bayeux Cathedral (attended by Prince Charles and the Prime Minister, no less), I was working on the Legion information stand at the party in Portsmouth (with our newest Legion volunteer, my mum, in tow).  We were delighted that the weather held off and we had an excellent turnout – we estimate around 15,000 people congregated on the common next to Southsea beach, where the troops departed for Normandy in 1944. 

The day started with a parade along the seafront to the D-Day stone and a family bike ride – then the party really started, with 40s bands and Lindy hoppers and picnicking families.  The highlight was a poppy drop from an RAF Hercules (slightly too soon but the thousands of children collecting up the petals didn’t seem to mind) and the fantastic Red Devils parachute display team.  It was a blowy day and touch and go as to whether they’d be able to do the jump – in fact, we had many ex-Paras coming up to the stand saying ‘they won’t be able to do it in this’.  But they went ahead and performed a spectacular jump, unveiling a Union flag and dropping poppies on the way down.  It was the perfect end to an excellent day – even if mum and I didn’t get time to eat much of our picnic! 

Kay Callaghan
Head of Internal Communications

 

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