D-Day veterans set for Normandy trip thanks to Echo

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by HoldtheFrontPage Staff Published 25 Jun 2007

Almost 100 veterans and their families are to travel to Normandy for the 60th anniversary of D-Day, thanks to the South Wales Echo and its Operation Echo appeal.

A party of 96 D-Day veterans and their companions were due to leave Cardiff today for a four-day trip to Normandy to take part in events to mark the anniversary.

The trip for the old soldiers, who are all members of the South Wales Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, has been paid for by the paper’s Operation Echo appeal.

Normandy veterans Emrys Davies,
John Wintle and Bert Dawe

Run in conjunction with the Normandy Veterans Association and the Royal British Legion in Wales, more than £50,000 has been raised to cover transport, accommodation and meals for the trip.

The fund has also financed the journey and bed and board for another 59 D-Day veterans who are members of the Normandy Veterans Association but are making their own way to France.

During their stay the Operation Echo party will:

Visit La Coupole underground V2 rocket base museum and exhibition centre;

Attend the official parade and service at Montgomery Statue, Colleville-Montgomery;

Be presented with their Normandy 1944-2004 Commemoration Medal;

Visit Pegasus Bridge;

Attend the opening of the British Garden at Caen Peace Museum;

Travel to the D-Day landing beaches;

Attend the parade and service at the Bayeux British and Commonwealth War Cemetery;

Visit Gold Beach for a re-enactment and display of the British Gold Beach landings;

Take part in the traditional veterans parade through Arromanches.

South Wales Echo editor Alastair Milburn said: “We launched our Operation Echo appeal almost exactly a year ago because we felt this would be the last major anniversary of D-Day that many of these heroes are likely to be able to attend.

“We felt they deserved to have the chance to make their heroes’ return to remember colleagues and friends who fell – without having to pay for it.

“The appeal has been supported by thousands of Echo readers who through their donations have helped make this trip for the veterans possible, and for that we thank them.

“The appeal has also received support from the New Opportunities Fund, which has ensured we are able to aid our party financially even more than we had originally planned.

“We would also like to thank the Nomandy Veterans Association and, in particular, the Royal British Legion for their hard work in ensuring the Operation Echo trip is such a success.”

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