44 Week ending June 5, 2004 Packet News desk: 01326 213331 or e-mail editorial@packetseries.co.

uk

D-DAY 60th
ANNIVERSARY
War heroes honoured
HUNDREDS of people witness a rare ceremony in
turned out in appalling Falmouth and to thank
weather on Monday to servicemen who, in 1944,
fought for their freedom.
There was an emotional moment
when the Mayor of Falmouth,
Maureen Davies, handed a framed
scroll giving the Freedom of
Falmouth to the US 29th Division
Light Infantry. They had assem-
bled in Cornwall prior to being sent
to Omaha Beach, in Normandy, in
June 1944, where more than 2,500
lost their lives.
The current commanding officer
of the division, Major-General
Daniel Long, received the scroll but
immediately asked veterans of the
1944 campaign, who had made the
journey to Cornwall, to accept it.
“It belongs to them,” he said.
There were tears in the eyes of
the older men as they stepped for-
ward. As they did there was a rous-
ing, spontaneous three cheers from
the crowd which had assembled in
the Events Square.
The thoughts of those who were
visiting the town where 60 years
ago they were based in the run-up
to D-Day were of those friends they
● RIDE ON: Major-General Daniel Long, commanding officer of the US had but who never returned from
29th Division Light Infantry hitches a lift in a vintage jeep. Picture: Mike Buckley France.
● By STEPHEN IVALL
The Freedom Ceremony marked
the final part of a D-Day weekend
for Falmouth which had begun in
brilliant weather on Saturday at
the picturesque gardens of Trebah,
on the Helford.
On Sunday, it was music and
dance and even a mock wartime
wedding which entertained the
crowds in the grounds of
Pendennis Castle.
It was a transformation on
Monday when grey skies and heavy
rain greeted all those who had
turned out at the Moor to take part
in the Freedom Ceremony or to
watch.
Lady Mary Holborow, the Lord
Lieutenant of Cornwall, said the
weather was much like it was 60
years ago when servicemen in the
area were preparing to go to
France. D-Day had been delayed
because of such weather. Monday’s
event was not.
Neither would many people be
living, as they did today, in a coun-
try to be proud of without the brav-
ery of those who fought for free-
dom, said Lady Mary.
On Monday, British, American
and French servicemen and
women came together, not only to
honour those who took part in the
D-Day landings but also those
involved at Dunkirk, in 1940, and
the raid on the French submarine
base of St Nazaire – a raid which
had seen many of those taking part
leaving Falmouth.
On Monday, the town centre
echoed to the sound of vintage mil-
itary vehicles, many in pristine
condition, taking part in the com-
memorations. Maj Gen Long man-
aged to hitch a lift in one of the
jeeps.
At the Church Street car park, in
front of the St Nazaire memorial, a
short service took place along with
the laying of wreaths before the
parade continued to the Events
Square. Clouds prevented a flypast
of vintage aircraft but a helicopter
from RNAS Culdrose honoured the
brave servicemen by hovering in
the bay. Offshore, Maritime and
Coastguard Agency tugs gave a
water cannon salute.
● Pictured below: D-Day veter-
ans accept the scroll giving their
division the Freedom of Falmouth.
Sixty years ago the three men in
the centre were preparing to leave
Trebah for Omaha Beach

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Richard’s father was really there!
33” x 78” RICHARD Finch, of The Old Chapel, Things all happened fast – bodies thick
34” x 82” Cury, Helston, has strong connections Now I spend my days, just lazing about
36” x 84” with the American forces. His father, Eyes all a stare
Was I really there?
Various styles Howard Bruns, was a GI and was Will you all forget – so quick.
involved in the landings.
White horses roam above my head
As a tribute to all the US troops who
UPVC landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944,
My spirit flows – slow then quick
Sand in my hand, seaweed in my hair
WINDOWS and never returned home, he wrote this Eyes all a stare
tribute. Yes I’m dead
AND I arrived among the bullets it was all over so quick There, That’s the way it is.
Sixty years I’ve drifted, a gun in my grip Will you remember why?
DOORS In and out – ebb and flow For your freedom we did it
Sand in my hand, seaweed in my hair Blood mingled among the sand
AT TRADE Eyes all a stare Eyes all a stare, seaweed in my hair
Was I really there? Do you still care?
PRICES Can it be all in vain
Was it worth it?
Why do generations do these things? War – such pain What has the world learnt from all our pain?
How many soldiers must drift? Why go to war, again and again?
UNIT 1 EASTWOOD PARK ESTATE Never to see the Stars and Stripes again
Please take the gun from my grip
The sand from my hand, the seaweed from my hair
PENRYN TR10 8LA ● GI: Howard Bruns of Eyes all a stare – more pain
Close my eyes
the 32nd BN Engineers, Where’s the sense in it? Give the world – peace
TEL: 01326 377992 FAX: 0871 733 5981 aged 24, My heart went home, sunsets never to see again Only then – was it worth it.