D Day: We Will Remember Them

 by Nathaniel G

(Photo by John Sadden)

On 5 June, a group of pupils and teachers from PGS were able to join thousands of people on Southsea Common to attend the event marking the 80th anniversary of D Day. There were representatives from each of the Allied nations, royalty, musicians, actors, each of the armed forces , and national politicians and other dignitaries.

We heard many stories of that day 80 years ago, a speech from the King and heard music from military bands. We saw numerous TV cameras, flags shining in the summer sky and even a fly past by the Red Arrows.  It was strange to think that we were just metres away from where tens of thousands of soldiers had set off years ago, to land and fight in Normandy.  

There were so many things from the day to remember, and I’m sure we will remember them for a long time.  

But most of all, I thought about the small group of remaining veterans on Southsea Common, and imagined what they were thinking.  

They too will have heard the loud music today, they too will have seen the famous people and they may have looked at the fly past and heard the gun salute from the warship anchored just offshore.

But just possibly the first and last thing they thought about and saw in their tired but strong memories, was the memory of the many friends who died in Normandy 80 years ago and who never made it home.

Maybe they heard again the noise of terrible battles, felt the sand on their feet and relived the mix of nerves and terror in war.

Their friends may have died in their thousands on French beaches but those memories of good and brave friends are the real memories to keep strong in Portsmouth today.

 As one of the survivors said at the end of the event: what is most important is to remember that sacrifice, and to work every day to ensure we never forget those people who gave us today.  

 They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. We will remember them.