President Obama visiting Normandy for D-Day 2009

US Cemetary at Colleville-s/Mer, Omaha Beach

There are many rumours going around saying that D-Day commemorative events are being cancelled, blocked off from the general public etc. due to the President’s visiting Normandy D-Day sites in June 2009.

The only places he is expected to visit – and hence to be seriously affected by major security measures – are the American Cemetery and Colleville Beach on 6th June.

As far as I can ascertain, the American cemetery will be open to visitors as usual before and after his visit on 6th June BUT YOU WILL NEED A SECURITY PASS, OBTAINED IN ADVANCE, IF YOU WANT TO VISIT THESE SITES ON 6TH JUNE.

There is an article (in French) from the regional newspaper reproduced online here: Journal Ouest France .

So basically, the current situation is that Obama is likely to visit the US cemetery and the landing beach at Colleville on June 6th 2009 and access to these will be severely restricted.

No other events have been confirmed as part of President Obama’s visit.

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Liberty Jump Team – Normandy 2009 D-Day Event Jumps

The Liberty Jump Team from the USA runs a number of historical aircraft and will be making a series of appearances at the Normandy D-Day 65 events.

The team has jumped in Normandy every year since it formed in 2006, initially at the request from the local mayor and the KERDUN organization in Carentan, France.  They invited Dominique Launay – President of LJT and SR Jump Instructor – to perform a commemorative jump for their LIBERTY Airborne Festival for D-Day ceremonies that year.  A group of jumpers from various organizations came together and executed the jump from a C-47 ‘Drag Em Oot’ to a crowd of over 7,000 people.  They also jumped in Amfreville that same week.

The decision was taken by the original team members to form a permanent group; the LJT is now primarily made up of active duty, retired or reserve Military, with male and female members drawn from the USA, France, Canada, England, Ireland, Holland and Belgium.

For 2009 65th Anniversary of D-Day the team is planning to jump from a C-47 on:

June 4th – Angoville au Plain between 11h00 and 16h00 depending on winds

June 5th – Amfreville DZ ‘D’ 22h30

June 7th – La Fiere – preceding the Military jumps – 12h00

The  Team will be staying, as they do each year, at the CCAS campgrounds in Quineville – they attend and participate in the Quineville commemorative ceremonies each year.

The LJT also sponsors and hosts the travel of some American war veterans each year to Normandy- this year they will bring

• Ralph Manley – 501 PIR
• Bob and Debbie Beardon – 507 PIR.  Bob is author of  ‘ To D-Day and Back ‘ and will be at the jumps: visitors and spectators have the chance to purchase his books there as well as in Quineville.
• Chet Graham - 508 PIR Chet will travel with one of the LJT members Leland Burns (son of Dwayne Burns of the 508 PIR, together they wrote ‘Jump Into the Valley’)

The team’s base and jump training operations are located in Bristow, Oklahoma.  For more information on the Liberty Jump Team visit their website www.libertyjumpteam.org

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The Royal British Legion – “D-Day 65” events

Royal British Legion Announces Plans for D-Day 65

Celebrations on both sides of the English Channel will mark the 65th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, the start of the most decisive battle in modern history, as heroes from D-Day and today are honoured by The Royal British Legion.

On Saturday, 6th June 2009 – or “D-Day 65″ – the Legion will be taking heroes from D-Day and today to the Normandy beaches in honour of the 165,000 Allied Forces who took part in the landings.

The D-Day heroes will also take part in commemorative services organised by The Royal British Legion at the majestic Bayeux Cathedral in Normandy, the spiritual home of the Normandy Landings as well as the Norman Conquest nearly 900 years earlier.

A beach in Normandy, used by British Forces in the invasion, will be planted with thousands of Union Flags chosen from among the 5.5 million that have been sent out by the Legion across the UK to be inscribed with messages of thanks and dedication.

The flag mail-out is part of a £2.5 million fundraising appeal in association with the D-Day anniversary, to further the work of the Legion in supporting veterans, Service personnel and their families.

Members of the public in England and Normandy will meanwhile be invited to a major outdoor celebration, picnic, and pop concert in Portsmouth, with additional picnics in Weymouth, Coventry and Christchurch. Picnics on both sides of the Channel are being organised by the Legion in partnership with Normandy Association and Normandy Association UK.

via The Royal British Legion – Heroes of D-Day and today join the Legion’s “D-Day 65” events.

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Bayeux-Bessin D-Day Festival 2009

Bayeux Bessin Brochure D-Day 2009

The Bayeux-Bessin tourist office has published its leaflet for the annual D-Day Commemoration Festival which will take place from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June 2009. More events are listed on the page d-day-65th-anniversary-events-2009.

“The night they arrived” – Friday 5th June – Longues-sur-Mer and Port-en-Bessin.

Lighting-up of the coast (25 fireworks displays along 50 miles of coastline). A series of magnificent fireworks displays up and down the coast at 11pm : nearest to Bayeux-Bessin are the site of the German Battery in Longues-sur-Mer, which overlooks the D-Day Landing beaches, and at the harbour in Port-en-Bessin.
Organised by Normandie Mémoire/towns of Port-en-Bessin and Longues-sur-Mer.

“In the footsteps of the 47th British commando” – Saturday 6th June – Between Asnelles and Port-en-Bessin.

From 9am until 5pm, a 13 mile long walk in the footsteps of the British soldiers who liberated Port-en-Bessin, on the 7th June. Picnic at Longues-sur-Mer with a jazz concert, a talk describing the story of D-Day and a chance to meet with the veterans of the 47th British commando. Bring your own picnic and wear walking shoes.
Organised by Bayeux-Bessin tourist office.

“Liberation evening” – Saturday 6th June – Place De Gaulle in Bayeux.

From 6.30pm, a big evening dedicated to veterans in Bayeux, the first liberated town in France. Music and dancing, concert featuring the London Community Gospel Choir (food and refreshments available on site).
Organised by the Town of Bayeux.

“Liberation picnic” – Sunday 7th June – the harbour in Port-en-Bessin.

From 1pm, a big picnic with musical entertainment.
Organised by the Town of Port-en-Bessin.

“Bayeux, first liberated town in France” – Sunday 7th June – Bayeux.

At 3pm, in the centre of Bayeux, a major parade of 250 vehicles, which made the legend of the landing and the liberation of France.
Organised by theTown of Bayeux and Bayeux-Bessin tourist office.

OFFICE DE TOURISME BAYEUX-BESSIN
Bayeux – 02 31 51 28 28
Longues-sur-mer – 02 31 21 46 87
Port-en-bessin – 02 31 22 45 80

http://www.bayeux-bessin-tourism.com/

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Appeal to Help British Veterans Visit Normandy

Help British Veterans Return to Normandy Beaches 2009

2009 will be the last chance for many British War Veterans to attend the commemoration ceremonies for those who fell in the Battle for Normandy, 65 years ago this year.

At time of writing, the British Government has no plans for ministers or the Royal Family to attend and has refused financial assistance to veterans.

The Ministry of Defence has rejected requests for financial aid to survivors and says there will be no further official commemoration of D-Day until its centenary – when all those involved will be dead.  This is on the grounds that the MoD supports official events only for 25th, 50th, 60th and 100th anniversaries.

In contrast, the American, Canadian, French and German governments are sending representatives to the 65th D-Day anniversary ceremonies.

The Normandy Veterans’ Association (which will probably disband this year as most of the remaining members are too frail to support events) approached the MoD for help last year, but was told no money was available.  Plans have also been blocked  for an official service of remembrance and thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey this summer.

A public appeal has been launched to assist British Veterans and their carers (many cannot get around unaided) to visit Normandy for the 65th Anniversary.

The total sum needed is £500,000 – a small amount to show appreciation for the sacrifices made on our behalf.  Please make a small donation to help raise the amount needed.

HOW TO MAKE A DONATION

Donations go directly to the NVA (Normandy Veterans Association) to help veterans and their carers attend D-Day ceremonies in Normandy 2009.

Cheques should be made payable to “Overlord” and sent to:

NVA Appeal

PO Box 5002

Department CHP

Alton

Hants

GU34 9BZ

Alternatively, donations can be made at any branch of HSBC or using telephone or Internet banking services; make payments to the “Overlord” campaign account number 91271628, sort code 40-14-21

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