Fom June 6th 1944 to June 6th 2009 - The 65th Anniversary

The sun rose early on the morning of June 6th 2009 and illuminated the usually sleepy village of Arromanches-les-Bains, burning rays of sea-flecked daylight through the holes in the 65 year old concrete caissons, now resting majestically on the seabed of Gold Beach, and acting as a lasting homage to the once bustling Mulberry Harbour. The local shop-owners arise with a spring in their step, and ready themselves and their wares for the tumult of trade, excitement and festivities that experience assures them will arrive the following day.

As the D-Day and Omaha themed shops overlooking the Normandy Landing Beach begin to open their doors, the die-hard World War II enthusiasts, many even older than John Wayne in The Longest Day, begin to arrive sporting (often tightly fitting) original or replica uniforms. The influx of renovated military vehicles (many of which mysteriously disappeared after the end of the war) are eased out of retirement and begin to clank, grind and chunter their way down the narrow, winding roads eventually creating the largest gathering of World War II vehicles in this area since June 6th 1944, D-Day itself. These are accompanied by columns of motorcycles - most bearing the well known name of Harley Davidson but also many once-proud British producers such as Norton, BSA and Matchless. This procession is accompanied by Tannoy speakers blaring songs by Gracie Fields and rousing de Souza marches.

Later in the day when ambling along the streets and weaving through the crowds, the striking insignia of the Screaming Eagle of the 101st Airborne Division is seen staring up from the epaulette of a 6 year old boy who marches past with a toy gun on his shoulder. But none of this inaccuracy or parody matters when one is submersed in the energy and camaraderie of the occasion. It is a light-hearted celebration of democratic freedom, the luxury of which is often taken for granted today.

If you managed to escape the gridlock of Arromanches and headed westward toward other poignant D-Day landing sites in the American landing sector such as La Pointe-du-Hoc, one would encounter, along the winding Bocage Lanes, groups of veteran vehicles smoking their progress with dignity - like a museum on the move.

The American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-mer above Omaha beach was once again heavily defended - although this time not by the Nazis - but by President Obama’s security retinue. This was to protect President Obama, President Sarkosi, and Prime Minister Brown who would congregate alongside the remaining Veterans at the cemetery, not just for political kudos, but also as symbols of the respect due to the soldiers who so bravely fought for our freedom.

An account from Aline, of the Mulberry Hotel in Arromanches, the evening saw an impressive display of fireworks and lights along the ancient coastline - surely the like of which has not been seen for 65 years.

The Normandy Veterans Association (NVA) has an understandably decreasing membership and decided the 65^th Anniversary was to be their last big occasion. This added an element of finality to the celebrations, the end of an era dominated by a great generation that has a firm foundation in history.