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Our proudest day : Brittany Ferries welcomes 11 D-Day heroes
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D Day veteran on board Brittany Ferries Barfleur
For Brittany Ferries, it is a poignant and powerful day. It comes every year just before D Day (6 June) when brave veterans, their carers and other groups travel to France to pay their respects to the fallen.
The D Day beaches that stretch from the Cherbourg peninsula to Ouistreham in Normandy, were scenes of horror 81 years ago. Today, they are serene and calm holiday destinations for Brittany Ferries customers, a place of joy and laughter for families and friends.
This year fifteen veterans will cross the Channel with Brittany Ferries, compared with thirty two last year. Today is the day when the vast majority make the journey. Eleven of the fifteen left the UK on board services from Poole and Portsmouth.
Five travelled on Brittany Ferries Barfleur, hosted by the Spirit of Normandy Trust. They were whisked on board in style, before the ship left Poole at 08:30 this morning. Destination Cherbourg.
A further six arrived in Portsmouth in the back of London cabs provided by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans. As in Poole, these VVIPs were given priority boarding onto Brittany Ferries’ newest ship, Guillaume de Normandie. She left Portsmouth in bright sunshine at 15:00 heading for the small fishing port of Ouistreham (Caen), which lies at the eastern extremity of sweeping Sword Beach.
Veterans were treated to a host of events and entertainment on board. The impressive Jedburgh Pipe Band provided the musical accompaniment for the departure from Poole. A spitfire fly-past followed to the delight of everyone, before the start of 1940s music in the bar. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission joined the voyage, carrying a commemorative torch to France.
On board the Portsmouth to Caen service, there was another treat for veterans and passengers. An Oxford professional choir made up of thirteen boys and six men, part of official Commonwealth War Graves Commission party for the commemoration, sang for passengers. It was a deeply moving experience for everyone.
“It is our great honour to continue to carry these brave men and women across the channel for D-Day commemorations,” said Christophe Mathieu, CEO Brittany Ferries. “Of all our services, those carrying D Day veterans are our most important and most special. As we carry them, we bow our heads and acknowledge the weight they carry for fallen comrades. We never forget that the beautiful destinations we serve today were once the scene of ultimate sacrifice made by thousands to bring us the freedom we must never take for granted today.”
Each year, captains and crew assist in a wreath laying ceremony. This takes place around one hour from land. On arrival, teams on board and on shore ensure veterans and their carers are first off the ship. Rightly so.