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THEY came, they saw the horror then they conquered, 65 years ago.
Yesterday war veterans returned to Normandy, remembered their fallen comrades on D-Day-then wept.
Thousands of ageing heroes were joined by world leaders at poignant ceremonies to commemorate the turning point in World War II.
The veterans-their medals glistening in the sunshine-gathered at a cemetery in Northern France to pay their respects.
At times they appeared lost in their thoughts as they remembered the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944.
Thousands of Allied troops landed by boat or were parachuted into occupied France to begin pushing the Nazis out of Europe. The death toll was 10,000.
Yesterday thousands of British, American and Canadian veterans sat with serving soldiers in Coleville-sur-Mer.
US President Barack Obama, whose grandfather was involved in the Normandy battles, led tributes.
He said: " What we must never forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century. At an hour of maximum danger, amid the bleakest of circumstances, men who thought themselves ordinary found it within themselves to do the extraordinary."
Prince Charles, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah also attended, along with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Canada's PM Stephen Harper.
President Obama's wife Michelle and President Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni wore almost identical white outfits-in stark contrast to Mrs Brown's sombre grey dress. Actor Tom Hanks was also there.
Mr Brown saluted the heroes, saying: "As long as freedom lives their deeds will never die. On D-Day the sounds of liberation on the march were heard across Europe."
Veteran Bert Marsh, 84, from Sheffield, said he was there to "remember the many we lost".
Fredrick Wright, 88, from Suffolk, had previously refused to return to Normandy because of painful memories of the war, which left him in a wheelchair.
But he declared: " Now I'm here I'm really enjoying it. The people appreciate us so much." A 21-gun salute and a flypast marked the end of the ceremony.
The main event was surrounded by controversy amid claims that the French snubbed the Queen and invited Prince Charles at the last-minute.
Her Majesty sent a heartfelt note to the Normandy Veterans' Association expressing her best wishes for "a most memorable day". Last night Forces sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, 93, said: "No disrespect to the Prince but the old soldiers wanted the Queen to share their emotional day."
Later Gordon Brown faced a chorus of boos and groans as he began his address to hundreds of veterans at Arromanches.
The heroes were angry with the PM -feeling he had not done enough to help them mark the anniversary.
Earlier in the day Mr Brown and Prince Charles joined 800 Normandy veterans at a remembrance service held by the Royal British Legion at Bayeaux Cathedral. The Prince and the PM then chatted with several veterans and cadets.
Leslie Sutton, 84, of Ilford, Essex, who was in the RAF, sobbed after meeting Charles, who told him he should be proud of what he did for his country.
Wreaths were then laid at nearby Bayeaux cemetery. Fredrick Norris wept as he inspected graves of comrades from the 5th Assault Regiment of the Armoured Engineers who fell when their tank was destroyed on Sword Beach.
Children from St Joseph's School in Hendon, North London, greeted the veterans with signs declaring: "The Young Do Care" and "Thank You".
EUROPE'S oldest man Henry Allingham, the last surviving founder member of the RAF, celebrated his 113th birthday in London yesterday.
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This article has 11 comments
My daughter is one of the 2 cadets photographed above meeting Prince Charles and veterans at the Bayeaux War Memorial on Sunday 7th June 2009. She is a corporal in the Air Cadets (Northumberland and Durham Region) and she was honoured to be there. The younger generation do need to know and through this organisation they will ensure that the events of D-Day will not be forgotten.
By Karen Clark.. Posted June 8 2009 at 7:24 PM.
My Grandfarther Joseph Kilroy featured in the News Of the World on Sunday attending for the first time with the British legion. I am proud that he had the courage to bring back all the past memories he tried to forget. He had a fantastic day meeting old commrades also Gordon Brown, Prince Charles which I am sure he will tresaure.
By Mark Kilroy.. Posted June 8 2009 at 12:18 PM.
Thank you for everything, both living and departed, heroes of the highest grade.
I feel, personally ashamed that our PM did not do more to get our Queen, who served during WW2, over there with those heroes.
Having escorted many of you before, i still see the pain in your eyes, and the pain i heard in your voices.
God Bless you all.
ndy
By Andy.. Posted June 7 2009 at 11:36 PM.
god bless i would be humbled to meet any of our heroes i cry when i see the war they fought how they gave their lives so we could live the way we do now they gave the ultimate price for all of us yet gordon spinless brown puts down a reef that probably cost about a fiver when every one else put down some brilliant ones total joke what an insult to all those frail men standing in the rain those heros who should have a life of luxury after what they endured but no i bet they have to count every penny while every tom dick and harry from all over the world comes here and gets everything for nothing they make me sick god bless you all i am so proud of you all who did what you did thank you and i hope i will be able to meet you next year thanks!!! dont forget these guys where there on the front line for years not months like todays soldiers and i still respect them highly!
By alan cram.. Posted June 7 2009 at 9:46 PM.
Proud to be British! The D-day assualt was British majortity. We should be pround of all out veterans and serving soldiers. while it is vital we remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrafice for us but it is just as important we support the Soldiers fighting for us right now in Afghanistian fighting the Taliban who pose a great threat not just to our country but to all countries who AL queada oppose.
By Adam.. Posted June 7 2009 at 8:55 PM.
This is very sad. i really wish i was there to meet all the veterans and thank them!
By Scott.. Posted June 7 2009 at 3:58 PM.
hiya this is a sad story
By tamara.. Posted June 7 2009 at 3:21 PM.
god bless these men alive,god bless the fallen for there were so many.i salute these great men.
By michael tunnicliff.. Posted June 7 2009 at 11:57 AM.
Saddest thought of the day is that bar rememberance day and occasions like this our wonderful (succesive) governments keep the people who fought for freedom in abject poverty whilst lavishing benifits on anyone who sneaks into the country. As for the French.... once a "viche" nation of collaberators always a.... - thank goodness that this country had a strong leader to stand up to them to include the Royals (i mean Obama not bottler Brown)
By iand.. Posted June 7 2009 at 9:59 AM.
these men make us proud to be british - we know what they achieved even if the creepy sarkozy wants to deny it. I am not buying anything that I know to be french and I think this country should never again invite sarkozy. I am glad that brown was booed on two occasions, it serves him right. He has no thoughts for royalty and the vets, all he wants to do is lead us into the EU.
By shirley.. Posted June 7 2009 at 9:10 AM.
Heroes one and all, the sure earned their right to boo that useless prat Broown! Just a pity the lying sneaky French tried to ruin the memory of all the British service men that died trying to free their country from the Nazi jackboot. A jackboot that most of the French couldn't care less about as long as it left them alone. Despite the De Gaul Myth, per percentage of population the French had the least amount of resistance fighters of all the occupied countries.
By Chris.. Posted June 7 2009 at 8:34 AM.