14:30
Every year in Normandy, since 1945, the Allied landings of 6th June 1944 have been commemorated by D-Day Commemoration Committee.
This year, due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the D-Day Commemoration Committee was unable to hold the commemorative ceremony in its usual manner.
It was however inconceivable that there would be no commemoration at all. The Committee organised a ceremony on a smaller scale, which was held at the National Guard Monument, overlooking Omaha Beach, in Vierville -sur-Mer.
This ceremony was held without the presence of Veterans, military delegations or the public. Jean Marc Lefranc, the President of the D-Day Commemoration Committee, gave a brief welcome speech but none were made by the invited delegations.
It was presided over by Mrs Geneviève Darrieussecq, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence, and was attended by foreign delegations from 10 countries, by the Prefect of the Calvados region and French civil and military authorities.
The remembrance of all those who fought for our freedom and democracy was honored with dignity and deep respect.
This moving event was broadcast live on social networks and can be viewed by clicking on this link (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36lj206DiZQ).