All funds raised during the weekend will be shared between two registered veterans’ charities; D-Day Revisited and the Royal British Legion.
D-Day Revisited was first established in October 2008 for the primary purpose of funding a 65th anniversary visit by British Armed Forces Veterans to the Normandy Landings Sites and surrounding region. Now a registered Charity, they aim to run similar pilgrimages each year leading up to the 70th Anniversary. At the same time they provide a forum where World War II veterans can record and share their experiences with younger generations. The D-Day Revisited team continues to brainstorm to find ways of improving awareness amongst younger generations about what these men achieved and sacrificed.
The D-Day Landings in June 1944 remain the largest seaborne landings in world history. Thousands of lives were lost in this massive offensive, and they hope to pay some small tribute to the boys who never came home by ensuring they are not forgotten.
In June 2009 they took a group of 86 veterans, medics, carers and family members to Normandy for the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings. It was a great success so they took a group of 150 this year and we are now making arrangements for their 2011 pilgrimage… and before you ask, they feel that since these men didn’t have to pay for their first visit to Normandy in 1944, they shouldn’t have to pay now!
These trips are so personally important for World War II Veterans who survived and made promises that they would make that journey and take the time to remember their fallen comrades. Please visit their website for more information.
Registered Charity No 1129753
The Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 and this year celebrates its 90th Birthday! For 9 decades it has provided welfare to the whole Armed Forces family – serving, ex-Service and their dependants. They also campaign on a range of issues affecting Service people, are national the custodian of Remembrance, run the annual Poppy Appeal and are one of the UK’s largest membership organisations.
The Legion is led by the following values:
- Reflection – through Remembrance of past sacrifice in the cause of freedom
- Hope – by remembering the past, a younger generation has the chance of a better future
- Comradeship – through shared experience and mutual support
- Selflessness – by putting others first
- Service – to those in need and in support of the whole community
Their mission is to be the No.1 provider of welfare, comradeship, representation and Remembrance for the Armed Forces community in Britain.
Registered Charity No 219279
About