Friday 6th June was the seventieth anniversary of the D Day landings in Normandy; the start of the liberation of Europe and a major turning point in the Second World War. I was honoured to attend last week’s service at the Garden of Remembrance in Folkestone, along with members of the Normandy Veterans Association, including ex-servicemen who were in action on that day.
I spoke with one D Day veteran who landed at Sword beach on the afternoon of 6th June 1944; then just a young man aged 18 years old. It is important that we remember the great sacrifices that were made in the defence of freedom during the world wars, even though passing time places these events in ever more fading memory. In our remembrance we should also consider that these sacrifices were being made by young people, with their lives ahead of them, who chose to go and fight in a foreign land in defence of their home. For some that trip by boat across the Channel in 1944 might have been their first journey out of this country. That day, as they ran up the beaches towards the firing enemy guns was most probably the first time they had been in operational combat. Yet in the hands of these young men lay the future of the world.
On Sunday I was delighted to accept the invitation from Reverend Dave Barker from the Cheriton Baptist Church to attend the Churches Together event at Folkestone Invicta’s football ground. The event brought hundreds of people together to mark the start of their 100 days of hope programme. During these one hundred days the churches will be working to support projects and events that will help people right across the communities they serve. These positive interventions are designed to build hope in the community and there can be no more worthy ideal. The Churches working together have a proud tradition of helping the most vulnerable in society. We have seen this particularly over the last few winters with the night shelter for the homeless, which is operated by volunteers using different church halls in and around Folkestone. Whilst we remember the great sacrifices people make in wartime on major anniversaries like that for the D Day landings, we should also take time to give thanks to the everyday heroes who work to make positive and telling contributions to peoples lives across the community.
Last weekend also saw the return of the Folkestone Air show, bringing big crowds to the town. It was great to see so many people out enjoying themselves. The Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain flight and the sea rescue helicopter display proved to be particular favourites. Congratulations are due to the organisers for putting on a superb event. The Air show really marks the start as well of a major summer programme of events in Folkestone, including the First World War commemorations on 4th August and the Triennial Arts festival starting at the end of that month.