D-Day, 70 years later

Good day all. As I wrote last week, this was the 70^th anniversary of the Allied landings at Normandy. If you’ve read about what the Allies went through, there is no need for me to go into it. If you haven’t, SHAME ON YOU!

In this case, I’m going to talk about a couple of the highlights of the commemoration. We had 93 years old Jim Martin, who was a private in the 101^st Airborne Division, recreating his jump into Normandy in 1944. (Mr. Martin successfully jumped and landed) Then we have the story of the day, former Royal Navy officer Bernard Jordan. Mr. Jordan, 89, has been living in a retirement/nursing home in England, wanted to go to the Commemoration, but was told by the staff that they were unable to get him on to one of the organized coaches, (That would be bus), trips to Normandy. That just slowed Mr. Jordan down a bit. Here are some of the details from The Telegraph:

On a day of sombre reflection and deep felt gratitude for the bravery of the men who stormed the Normandy beaches, one D-Day veteran in particular seemed to embody all their pluck, determination and even humour with his actions 70 years later. Bernard Jordan, who served with the Royal Navy during , had been looking forward to joining the events in northern France to pay tribute in person to his comrades who fell during the invasion.

But on being told by staff at the residential care home in Hove that they had not been able to get him onto an organised coach trip for the anniversary events, he took matters into his own hands. Pinning on his D-Day campaign medals under his raincoat Mr Jordan, 89, set off under his own steam and headed for Normandy.

To paraphrase Admiral Dewey, “Damn the bureaucrats! I’m going anyway!”

The extent of Mr Jordan’s resolve to join his old comrades only became clear when another veteran – thought to be slightly younger than him – informed police that the missing pensioner had joined a coach party and made his way to Ouistreham. Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, police commander for Brighton and Hove, said Mr Jordan was “reported missing to us by a care home who said he can’t go to Normandy for D-Day remembrance. We’ve found him there!”

I have a sneaking suspicion, once Chief Superintendent Kemp confirmed that Mr. Jordan was OK was a hearty laugh and a private “Well done Old Chap!” Mr. Jordan is in full possession of his mental faculties, and is quite capable of making his own decisions. He knew exactly where he wanted to go and how to get there. He also hit the Duty Free shop for some tax free goodies and some new lady friends as well. Well he was in the Royal Navy and there is that “Girl in every port” tradition to maintain. Mr. Jordan has stated that as long as he’s alive, he’s going back to Normandy to remember those who lost their lives that day. I pity the nurses that try and stop him.

In honour of Mr. Jordan, I thought I would provide a little music suitable for dealing with Great Escapes:

Mr. Jordan’s spirit is the reason the Allies defeated the evil that was Nazi Germany, and why we call them “The Greatest Generation.” Hats off and three cheers to Bernard Jordan!

Thatisall

~The Angry Webmaster~

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