The 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings next week will also mark the final return to Normandy for six veterans from our region.
Four D-Day veterans and two Desert Rats will be with Fleet businessman Harold Payne as The Anglia Motel Pilgrimage Fund embarks on its last trip on Monday.
During the nine-day excursion, the “Old Boys” and 48 other people will visit beaches involved in the famous landing operation on June 6, 1944, including Omaha, Gold, Sword and Gold.
Fleet’s Pastor Ross Dean will conduct services at each of them.
And everyone will witness the official ceremony attended by many allied heads of state next Friday.
Harold (74) said: “This is an exceptionally special year.
“There are not many of the veterans left now and we’re making this our final trip back to pay our respects to their fallen comrades.
“Many people don’t realise that 45,000 people from Lincolnshire lost their lives in the war.”
As a special tribute this year, the fund has commissioned Fleet nurseryman Richard Proctor to make 12 wreaths depicting flags of the Commonwealth countries involved in the conflict and emblems including the Parachute Regiment and Navy.
Each wreath will comprise about 500 carnations and will be laid in Normandy next week.
Before then the wreaths will be on display at The Anglia Motel in Fleet from tomorrow until Sunday (10.30am-9pm).
Harold said: “Hopefully people will pop in and see these magnificent wreaths.”
Some veterans in this area are unable to take part in the final trip to Normandy and with those men in mind, Harold has organised a special event in Hunstanton covering Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22.
Centred at The Green, there will be a display of military vehicles.
A brass band will play on the Sunday and there will be a 1940s-themed singer on both days.
The weekend culminates in a flypast by a Spitfire at 4.30pm on Sunday. Harold is also working on a plan to have 50,000 poppies dropped into the sea at sunset.
Over its 20 years, The Anglia Motel Pilgrimage Fund has raised £550,000. A collection at Morrisons in Pinchbeck on May 17 brought in £1,250 and another one will be held on Sunday.
- l Harold is looking for a brass band to play at Hunstanton on Saturday, June 21. Contact him on 01406 422766.
