First Minister joins Welsh veterans in Normandy to commemorate D-Day landings
6 Jun 2014 02:51 PM
The First Minister,
Carwyn Jones, and heads of State and Government from across the world will
today join thousands of veterans in Normandy to commemorate the 70th
anniversary of the D-Day landings.
The First Minister will attend a
special United Kingdom – France Service of Remembrance at Bayeux
Cathedral and Bayeux Cemetery, organised by the Royal British Legion, before
attending an International Ceremony on Sword Beach.
The International Ceremony will
be led by Her Majesty the Queen and will bring together Heads of State and
Government from 18 different countries, as well as thousands of veterans, 500
of which are travelling from Britain.
This year’s commemorative
service pays special tribute to British forces’ central role in the D-Day
landing, with Sword Beach being a Franco-British landing site during the
operation.
The South Wales Borderers 2nd
Battalion was the only Welsh battalion to take part in the D-Day landings,
going ashore with approximately 600 men.
During his visit the First
Minister will meet with Welsh veterans attending the service in
Normandy.
The First Minister
said:
"The D-Day landings were
the most important Allied operation of the Second World War and it is
fitting that countries from across the world are in Normandy today to
commemorate the courage, strength and will of all those who participated and
changed the course of our history.
"Commemorative events such
as these ensure that we never forget the sacrifices that were made by ordinary
people from communities across Wales, who were made extraordinary by these
circumstances. The freedom for which they fought is just as relevant to us
today, which is why we must ensure that we pass this history on through the
generations.
"It is an honour to have
the opportunity to meet with the Welsh veterans who continue to travel to
Normandy in remembrance of what happened here 70 years ago. We owe them a debt
of gratitude."
The Royal British Legion Wales
Area Manager, Phil Jones said:
"On 6 June the bravery of
thousands will be commemorated on both sides of the English Channel. Among them
were sailors, airmen and soldiers from the 53rd (Welsh) Division, which served
across NW Europe until the end of the war.
"These great veterans and
the freedoms they helped secure will be rightly honoured. The Royal British
Legion here in Wales and across the UK is proud to Remember and support them
and veterans and Armed Forces families of all
generations."