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| 05 June 2009 |
British D-Day Veterans To Receive Top French Honour |
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Ten British World War Two veterans are to be honoured by the French government today for their role in liberating France in 1944.
The nine men and one woman, who all took part in the D-Day landings, will receive the Legion d'Honneur in ceremonies this weekend, marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day.
The award is the highest decoration in France, awarded for military conduct. Among those who will receive the honour today are several men who were among the first to land on the Normandy beaches on the morning of June 6 1944. A female nurse who attended to the many wounded on Gold beach will also take part in the tribute.
Prince Charles and Gordon Brown will attend a commemoration ceremony alongside the French and US presidents.
"We are extremely delighted that the French authorities have honoured these brave men and women," Peter Hodge, Honorary General Secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, said.
"Sixty-five years ago, they risked their lives in one of the biggest military operations ever undertaken. Since then, they have all worked tirelessly with the Normandy Veterans Association to ensure that the events of June 6th 1944 are never forgotten."
Veterans Minister Kevan Jones, who will also be at the ceremony at Les Invalides in Paris, said: "We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the men and women of the Armed Forces who, sixty-five years ago, risked their lives for freedom. I am immensely proud that these British veterans are today being decorated with such an honour, in recognition of their great courage and bravery."
Another veteran, who landed on Juno beach on D-Day, will receive the
higher rank of Officer of the Legion d'Honneur from President Sarkozy at a ceremony at Colleville-sur-Mer tomorrow.
(JM/KMcA) |
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