80th anniversary of D-Day marked by council
The 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings - also known as D-Day - has been marked by a flag raising ceremony at Three Rivers District Council’s head office.
More than 150,000 British, American, Canadian, Polish and French troops breached the beaches of Nazi-occupied France on 6 June 1944. It was the largest ever naval, air and land operation.
The bold and strategic operation was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of the end of the Second World War. It did, however, come at a cost. Some 4,400 allied troops died and about 9,000 were wounded or missing.
The D-Day anniversary flag is flying high at Three Rivers House in Rickmansworth to remember those who laid down their lives for Europe’s freedom.
The chief executive of Three Rivers District Council, Jo Wagstaffe, was joined by other council officers to raise the flag on 5 June 2024 - the day before D-Day.
Jo said: “Without these brave men and women involved with the D-Day landing 80 years ago, many of whom sacrificed their lives to liberate Europe from the Nazis, we would not have the freedom we take for granted nowadays.
“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. It is an honour to raise 80th anniversary D-Day flag and remember the men and women who laid down their lives to maintain the peace and freedoms in Europe.”
PHOTO CAPTION: (Middle) Jo Wagstaffe, chief executive of Three Rivers District Council, with council staff holding the 80th anniversary D-Day flag.