Tribute to 65th Anniversary of D-Day

Ulster Unionist MLA for South Down, John McCallister, has paid tribute to those who participated in the D-Day landings of June 6, 1944, describing it as a "pivotal event in the history of Western Europe".

"This year marks the 65th anniversary of D-Day, and will see our youngest D-Day and World War II veterans turning 82 years of age.

"The commemoration of this event is vital both in terms of remembering the sacrifice of those who fell, and in preserving the lessons and legacy of that moment in history," Mr McCallister said.

"Ceremonies will be held on the beaches in Normandy to mark what is considered to be the turning point in the course of the Second World War.

"Some 150,000 Allied soldiers participated in this, the largest land, air, and sea invasion in history, and as the years pass fewer of those once teenage soldiers remain to share their stories.

"An epic part of our history, D-Day's legacy in carving out an Allied foothold in the battle to overthrow the Nazi regime must not be forgotten. By midnight that day total Allied casualties on the Normandy beaches numbered 10,000. Of that number, 2,500 men did not live to see the sunset on D-Day. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten."