THIS MORNING I performed one of my last official duties of the year, when I presented Veterans’ Badges and Normandy Bars to constituents.
I am genuinely in awe of the men and women who risked everything to serve our country in our armed forces. And to meet three men who actually fought at Normandy in 1944 was almost overwhelming. One of them, now aged 91, has been married for 67 years. I cannot express adequately how honoured I felt to meet them and to make the presentation to them.
I’ve presented Veterans’ badges to a large number of ex-servicemen and women over the years. They and their families always consider it an important occasion and usually accompany their loved ones for the very informal ceremony.
The Normandy Bar was issued this year by the French authorities to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
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Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 3:14 pm
Why not ask these brave people what they were fighting for. What was it about the idea of Britain that made it worth fighting for and see if the last 12 (or more…) years have destroyed most of that.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 4:02 pm
There is only one way to say this: bluntly. These men risked their lives for our freedom. We all benefited from what they did. But you have given what they fought for away for free.
I am disgusted beyond further comment.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 4:15 pm
I only found out what my father had done after his death. To think of what they did and went through and then never talked about it is just so inspiring and humbling at the same time. Many people of today could learn so much from those men.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 4:23 pm
A privilege indeed.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 5:43 pm
Paul & Stewart Cowan – your comments are so insane they’re barely worth commenting upon. Either the veterans fought the war to save Europe from liberal social democracy, or this government has instituted Nazism (which I suspect Stewart believes anyway!). For the record, the old warriors I met today gave no indication of feeling that their endeavours have been wasted, and of course, they’re right.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 6:43 pm
Tom
I also am in awe of these people – especially those who served in Normandy which had some of the most intense fighting of the war (at times the casualty rate exceeded that of WW1). As for what they fought for? Simple. We have had a deep peace in Western Europe that has allowed a prosperity – even during these difficult times – that has been unheard of. People might be frustrated with the EU and some of its antics but the idea of a war against another country within the EU is now so so bizarre as to be laughable. WW2 was the last act of a European civil war that started in 1870 and, interestingly, required massive intervention from outsiders (the US and the former USSR) to end.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 7:37 pm
Tom Tom
What they are saying is that these men fought to keep Britain free. we now see a generation of poiticians just passing over everything to the EU. I can assure you very few would have wanted what you have done.
You promised a referendum and went back on your word, you have let them and us down.
Tuesday 22 December 2009 at 10:54 pm
Once again I’m forced to close this thread because it seems very few people are psychologically or emotionally capable of offering a comment on the subject of the post. I gave readers an opportunity to pay personal tribute to a group of brave men who risked everything to serve their country at its time of greatest need.
Instead, the usual suspects have simply used it to make petty political points, which is beyond pathetic. Even if they admit it to themselves, they would never admit it publicly. They should be ashamed of themselves.