It was on this day 70 years ago men lined up and boarded planes to be dropped over Normandy. Their role was to keep the German Panzers and reinforcements busy as well as to stop them from going to the beaches in an attempt to push back the main invasion force.

There were men boarding planes all over West Berkshire, most notably Greenham Common. One of the most famous photos from the Second World War was taken this day 70 years ago.

To commemorate the day, and the sacrifices of those brave men, there is absolutely nothing going on. Not WBC, the NTC or the Greenham Trust. Well done, shame on you..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_airb...hower_d-day.jpg

Special message to that somebody out there. The tower may not be there if the invasion failed. Did you recognize those who boarded the planes when talking about the tower?

I have some sympathy with that, but there are significant national events taking place and 70 isn't normally considered a land mark period. The proximity of the WW1 centenary rememberance and of course the 75th of WW2 means that these necessarily take precidence. Of course, it's absolutely right to remember those who fought in these conflicts and it's good we keep that up formally and properly every year. Nonetheless, I don't think our local Councils or even Greenham Trust should have been doing anything other than they are.

Sure, a simple service would be over the top..


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27700479

I personally take a moment on the 6th June, to remember my father who died on that date. It also prompts me to say a silent thank you to all the men and women who died to ensure our freedom all those years ago.

Sure, a simple service would be quite OK, but it would not be unreasonable to have expected that if something was needed locally, one of the service organisations, such as the British Legion, would have called for it. In fact, I suspect they'd even (rightly) feel somewhat aggrieved, if events were called by the Local Council just on their own initiative.

If they are not organizing an event, why would they feel aggrieved about something remembering the efforts, and in some cases the deaths of those who fought for freedom?

The thing is that when we get to the 75th anniversary we may have no survivors left. That said, the Facebook "share if you care" campaigns are nauseating.

Am I alone in thinking that WW1 centenary celebration should be a cerebration of the end of the war (ie in 2018)

I got the impression that there are going to be special programmes spanning the whole four years, so you will probably get your wish.

There is so much to memorialise. Where to end?

Surfing to Normandy.
REME Officers were towed on their Mullberry bits across La Manche.
I never knew that until his funeral.
ce

Maybe, as there are no celebrations planned, only commemorations....

Simply because it's not really the Council's place to do this. I quite appreciate the significance of this, but there is a good reason to remember past conflicts on every day of the year. We formally remember every single year on November 11th. With the greatest respect, some have lost relatives and relations in other recent conflicts or theatres which weren't as big, though often just as significant. It is right that a massive national event in the presence of the Queen, is taking place at the moment, which gives us the opportunity to remember the fallen.

In the end. A step back and a thought for what went on should be enough for most people.
I am behind OTE in being forward about overindulgengesism

An uncle failed to return after an event over Emden.

He was part of the first 1000 bomber raid on Essen.
I think there was a fair number of fatalities that day.
He was a brave fellow. And died.
ce
l

Nearly 50% of bomber command's crew never survived the war.

Perhaps not a very popular thing to say, but I sometimes wonder what it must have been like for the young Germans to see that armada coming over the horizon!

A very valid thing to say though. Reports I've heard suggest sheer terror; after a few years of war, and in the knowledge of what was beginning to happen elsewhere, the likelihood of defeat hadn't escaped the German forces.

Whilst working at the Watermill Theatre in the very early years,the "chatelaine" employed
aux pairs. Ulla and Barbel. From Germania.
No one cared about that war, it was Isle of Watsit, Hendrix at Whenever.

Ulla I know went on to be a head honcho in eurobanking.
Barbel( with an umlaut) I met up with a while later, had become a mother,teacher and dare I say it a green politician.
What a life we lead.
ce

My Dad, god bless him, was in Lancasters, would never talk about it. I have a picture of him in his flying suit standing next to his 'kite'. Brave boys, all of them.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-26...ions-begin.html

Local Newbury veteran and I am proud to say also my Grandad appeared on the front page today of various newspapers and even on the BBC news. I am proud of him every day.

Every year that passes also sees the passing of more and more of these brave men and women so 70, 71, 72... We'll always remember the ones who gave their lives but let's not forget the livin either. I do take exception however to certain political organisations hijacking the name of these comemorations for their own gain.

Such as?