Without wanting to bring politics into a commemoration too much, I do wander what these veterans think when they see the likes of Trump and Frottage and the rise of divisive populism that we are currently seeing. They must despair. Most of them probably only have a few more years left in them, and the world they are leaving is one that looks like it's back on its way to darkness. To then have supporters of these populist leaders using the memories and sacrifices of these veterans as evidence of our exceptionalism and all the rest of it.
Very sad.
D-Day for me is always a time that I think about my Grandparents who all served in one way or another.
I lost my 1st one when I was 8,he was part of Market Garden & would've been at the Battle of Arnhem had he not been shot on his way down,he was rescued from some barbed wire a day of so later by a group of Americans.
The most raw for me today is my Mams Dad,we only lots him 5yrs ago,he was a submariner and had a big part in the sinking of a floating dry dock in Bergen,they towed the midget subs that carried out the mission and even managed to tow it back safely,they also sank 5 Nazi ships.
He was obviously my hero growing up and in all that time I only ever heard him swear twice.
I was fitting a carpet for him and the local UKIP twats knocked on his door,after taking the leaflet and realising who they were he simply told them to fuck off and went to shut the door,thinking that he was alone one of the twats (fat,bald head and whiskey nose and cheeks) stuck his foot in to stop him and attempted the start an argument,Grandad was old but still a tough fucker so he opened the door and quickly slammed it again leading to the fella to scram & push it right open,almost sending George flying,by that time I was behind him and ready to start slashing.Mr UKIP and his fellow twats shit themselves and G.Dad George bellowed I said fuck off & do it now before he kills ya,he then just grabbed me in a vice like bear hug as then all went running off down the road.
We laughed about that for years but even when telling the story he still never swore in front of me
Really should mention my nans.Georges wife was a wren and my other nan drove trucks full of equipment all over the country,her stories were amazing,she was the sharpest Lady I have ever known,as Scouse as one could be.
