D-DAY 80 PROCLAMATION & AMERICAN 29th DIVISION TRIBUTE

St Ives’ on what will surely be the final act of mass commemoration with survivors of the Normandy landings. In Cornish and English, Raymond Bridgewater reads the proclamation written by ex-household cavalry officer Christian Ashdown.
"Today we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France - an incredible achievement in military planning and logistics uniting brave service personnel from air, sea and land forces at the beginning of Operation Overlord. By the day's end over 150,000 Allied troops successfully stormed the now famous Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah and Omaha beaches to achieve a toehold in France. In the weeks that followed, the Allies fought bitterly against a determined foe from the unforgiving countryside of Normandy to the liberation of Paris two months later.
We should all remember and never forget the selfless sacrifice and courage of all those involved and use this commemoration to pay our tribute to those who gave so much to secure the freedom we all enjoy today. As we mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day, let us remember those whose valour and service returned the light of liberty and freedom to Europe’s shores.”
We also recall with gratitude the contribution of the 175th regiment of the American 29th Division, many of whom were billeted here prior to storming Omaha Beach, with images from a display in the Cornerstone building created by the St Ives Archive stivesarchive.org and the St Ives Library.
The Last Post was beautifully played by year 9 St Ives School student Ronan. Between 9.15 -11.00 p.m. St Nicholas Chapel was floodlit in red, our version of the beacons on display throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Isles of Scilly & UK Overseas Territories.