The Longest Day. A phrase from German General Rommel, who said that the day of the invasion would be the Longest Day for both sides. The eightieth anniversary of D-Day, 6th June 1944, was last week. A major celebration because the people who stormed the beaches are now nearly 100 and most will not be with us for the next big anniversary.
On Thursday 6th June 2024 there was a service at the Cenotaph in Christchurch Park to mark 80 years since D-Day. Marking the date when ships and planes full of brave British soldiers approached the coast of France, their courage and sacrifice would bring liberation to Europe and secure our freedoms for generations to come.
UK servicemen stood with our Allies from around the world to deliver a decisive blow against fascism and turn the tide of the war. Some made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives so we could live freely. Others returned home to build a new Britain out of the ashes of the war.
It is always humbling to commemorate their courage and honour their fallen comrades. We need to ensure that their story is never forgotten. Our debt to them can never be repaid in full. But we can – and must – honour their sacrifice. This goes beyond party politics. This is about who we are as a nation.
We must never allow the heroism of that generation to be forgotten.
The Mayor of Ipswich, Councillor Elango Elavalakan, laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Ipswich. Other wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal British Legion, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk County Council and a local family. Councillor Alasdair Ross, resplendent in his Regimental Blazer and Rifles Regiment Side Hat, read out the names of the 21 Ipswich men who were killed in the first three weeks.
The Suffolk regiment played their part on D-Day with the capture of a German strong point code-named Hillman, at the cost of ten men killed and 25 wounded. D-Day was only the beginning for the regiment, with 215 dead before the end of the war.
When you go home, tell them of us and say. For your tomorrow, we gave our today.
Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) reviewed what we do for veterans, which resulted in a dedicated webpage on the IBC website to provide information to veterans. The page includes a directory of voluntary and community sector support, advice on Benefits and Council Tax and information on housing. Veterans who are accepted onto the housing waiting list will be placed at the top of their housing band, so they will be housed quicker.
IBC also has a guaranteed interview scheme for members of the armed forces and veterans. This means that if they meet all the essential requirements of the person specification, they will be interviewed.
IBC also have a Military iCard, which allows free gym use Monday-Friday during all opening hours and free swimming at Crown Pools between 9am – 5pm.
The IBC Rough Sleeper Project Manager was previously in the Royal Anglian regiment, so we have someone who is a veteran at the centre of what we do for rough sleepers.
Armed Forces Day is an annual event celebrated in late June to commemorate the service of men and women in the British armed forces. Haverhill has been designated the Armed Forces Week lead town in Suffolk for 2024, which is on Saturday 29th June. More details of the event at https://haverhillafd.org.uk/
Our armed forces personnel have not been forgotten. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.