Arromanches +65 - A National Disgrace

[Drew5233]

Hi Piaf and welcome to the forum.

Ps we have a few 'D-Day Dodgers' on here

Regards
Andy


Ref Prince Charles:

Did I see him wearing a South Atlantic Medal and more importantly-Did it have a rosette on it? I caught a quick glimpse of him and did a double take.

I thought only his younger brother Andrew fought in the Falklands....I hope his Valet didn't give him his brothers medals by mistake?

[von Poop]

Just out of curiosity.
Who was actually organising it? And on what sort of official/formal/informal level?

The Mayor, local do?
French government?
NVA? (I kept instinctively thinking 'Why are the North Vietnamese Army there?' while watching it yesterday...are their plans for world domination so advanced...)
British goverment?
Someone else?

Seems wise to know who was IC of that particular do. If it was a disgrace, who's was it really?

They said of the big official Omaha ceremony that they were desperately hunting for chairs as many more veterans had turned up than were expected.

[chow]

The French police behaved in an absolutely disgusting manner. Having been at Arromanches since about midday, I decided to leave at 5pm. The French police suddenly closed the exit gates to the car park and implemented road blocks on the roads out of Arromanches - without warning. I was stuck for 2.5 hours in a car park (the duration of the convoy with Brown/Sarkozy arriving, doing their stuff, then leaving) - now that's not so bad for me, but annoying, as I'm a healthy 24 year old.

The most disgusting part was that there was D-Day veterans themselves stuck in this car park, unable to leave. After being stuck for an hour, I witnessed a D-day veteran pleading with the police to be allowed to leave so that he could go to Cherbourg and fetch his ferry back home.

French police hold D-day veterans and celebrators hostage in Arromanches car park for hours | chrishowells.co.uk

This was an appalling end to what was otherwise, for me at least, a very enjoyable day.

People in the car park were absolutely furious with Brown and the French police. When the convoys eventually headed out there was much tooting of horns and booing - I hope that he heard, inside his cosy car, and felt fully ashamed of himself.

[Elven6]

Originally Posted by piaf

Paul, Although I have never personally attended the ceremony at Arromanches I have watched it on the T.V. and always thought it seemed a fiasco.
I remember one year seeing the Veterans assembled on the beach with the oncoming tide lapping at their feet, whilst waiting for the Queen to appear.
Yesterday I attended a ceremony at Creully as I do every year to honour the memory of my cousin who was killed on June 28th 1944 aged just twenty years.
We had no problems in getting from our home near Carentan to Creully even though the N13 was closed, the only hold up was at Bayeux where the coaches taking the Veterans to the ceremony were given priority which is as it should be.
Phillip, The French Prime minister delivered his speech in English at Arromanches ,it was President Sarkozy who gave his speech in French at Omaha.
It is known that Nicolas Sarkozy does not speak English , but by the same token would you exepct Gordon Brown to deliver a speech in French ?
I noticed both President Obama and Gordon Brown wearing earphones during President Sarkozy's speech,however Prince Charles was not and he could be seen conversing with Sarkozy afterwards .
As I live nearer to the American landing beaches than the British , I can only conclude with my own feelings that the Americans look after their veterans with more respect than us Britsh?
Regards
Piaf
(daughter of a 'D Day 'dodger)

Perhaps he knows French?

OT: This is appalling, I wouldn't want anyone to be treated like this, the fact that they were war veterans just makes it so much worse! I just hope those that suffered through it remain healthy.

[Tom Canning]

Don't know why so many people are surprised and upset - most veterans I know - expect bad treatment it's what they have always known and it won't get any better probably -

goes without saying that Canada and the USA treat their Veterans like human beings - and not something the dog dragged in...

Rudyard Kipling got it right - "when the shootin starts 'es an 'ero - when it's over - ignore'im" - or words to that effect -

won't change...the idiots are still in charge ...
Cheers

[Owen]

Here you go Tom,

Click>> Kipling's Tommy Atkins

[Elven6]

Originally Posted by Tom Canning

Don't know why so many people are surprised and upset - most veterans I know - expect bad treatment it's what they have always known and it won't get any better probably -

goes without saying that Canada and the USA treat their Veterans like human beings - and not something the dog dragged in...

Rudyard Kipling got it right - "when the shootin starts 'es an 'ero - when it's over - ignore'im" - or words to that effect -

won't change...the idiots are still in charge ...
Cheers

I've always taken for granted the treatment of Veterans in Canada, until I joined this forum. (Given I don't follow European news much of course)

[Pete Keane]

The beret had what looked like a red and white embroidered badge. i did wonder if it was Polish, but Russian convoy is good enough for me.

I was given the opportunity to attend the South Lancs memorial service, but tbh I cant do it - I cant even walk round military graveyards, I just find it too upsetting.

I watched the memorial service with my dad and great uncle - his comment was that there were a lot less politicians there 65 years ago.........

Pete.

[Rob Dickers]

I watched the whole thing on TV from start to finish and thought the coverage was realy good and the services well executed, BUT the whole Arrowmanches episode was a total shambles, a church fete could have run it better. As for the French and the police, whats new there, I did a Normandy Tour in March and even had lunch in the cafe on the corner of the square and the attitude of the locals when you open your mouth and they find your english well!! enough said.
Rob D.

[cash_13]

I have forwarded this behavior to Nick Ferrari & James Obrian on LBC Radio......

Lets hope they will get time and not use all of their time spent on crap euro elections

Lee