(MOD) Military Personnel, Chiefs and Ministers to honour D-Day Veterans

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, will attend two separate commemorations at Bayeux tomorrow, organised by the Royal British Legion and the Normandy Veterans Association.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

I can think of no more appropriate way to spend my first full day as Defence Secretary than to be taking part in the ceremonies to mark the 65th anniversary of the start of Operation Overlord. It is a powerful and sobering occasion for veterans, their families, and we who owe so much to them, to come together and proudly remember those who fought so heroically, alongside our allies, in this great turning point in the battle for freedom.

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said:

It is a great privilege to join veterans and their families from the UK and from our Allies to commemorate the bravery and courage of the Armed Forces who, 65 years ago, were involved in the D-Day landings. This weekend's events are a poignant reminder of the sacrifice that so many thousands made for this country and for the peace of the world.

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt will take part in a midnight vigil at Pegasus Bridge, Ranville tonight in an event organised by Project 65. This commemoration will mark the Allied glider landings and parachute drop that took place in the early hours of D-Day. He will also unveil a memorial at the Pegasus Bridge Museum tomorrow.

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, said:

I am immensely honoured to attend the D-Day 65 celebrations, marking our respect for veterans and their families as they commemorate a very special event. As part of these celebrations it is a great privilege to have been asked to unveil the new memorial established by the charity 'Project 65' to honour those who took part in the audacious Coup de Main operation, the first combat operation of D-Day.

Major General Barney White-Spunner, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3rd (UK) Division, will join Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and CDS for the Bayeux commemorations.

Note to editors:

For further details on individual commemoration events, contact the event organisers:

Normandy Veterans Association: Peter Hodge, Honorary General Secretary - 07831 357424.

Project 65: Ed Lloyd Owen 077 9002 1367 / +44 (0) 207 993 3833.

Royal British Legion: Annabel Fuller - 0791 9696 456.

Photographs of the events will be available on

http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk http://www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk/> Please email admin@photos.mod.uk to gain access to the website.