This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/04/d-day-event-must-be-about-veterans-not-donald-trump
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Calls for D-day event to focus on veterans rather than Trump | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Military veterans, families of those who died and politicians are calling for the focus of the D-day commemoration in Portsmouth to be on those who fought rather than on the controversial presence of Donald Trump. | Military veterans, families of those who died and politicians are calling for the focus of the D-day commemoration in Portsmouth to be on those who fought rather than on the controversial presence of Donald Trump. |
| A vast security operation to safeguard the US president and other dignitaries, including Theresa May and the Queen, has been put into place on Southsea Common, the venue for the centrepiece of the British ceremonies to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings. | A vast security operation to safeguard the US president and other dignitaries, including Theresa May and the Queen, has been put into place on Southsea Common, the venue for the centrepiece of the British ceremonies to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy landings. |
| Miles of fencing, roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up and residents have been told not to aim long-lens cameras at Wednesday’s event from nearby flats or fly drones over the common. | Miles of fencing, roadblocks and checkpoints have been set up and residents have been told not to aim long-lens cameras at Wednesday’s event from nearby flats or fly drones over the common. |
| 'I count myself lucky': D-day remembered on the 75th anniversary | 'I count myself lucky': D-day remembered on the 75th anniversary |
| Protests are planned both at the edge of the ring of steel and a mile from the common in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square, but the hope from most is that the circus around Trump will not overshadow the principal purpose – to honour the sacrifice of those who took part in D-day. | Protests are planned both at the edge of the ring of steel and a mile from the common in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square, but the hope from most is that the circus around Trump will not overshadow the principal purpose – to honour the sacrifice of those who took part in D-day. |
| At the D-day Story museum in Southsea, its manager, James Batney, said the buildup to the big day had been moving and wonderful. | At the D-day Story museum in Southsea, its manager, James Batney, said the buildup to the big day had been moving and wonderful. |
| “We’ve had a real mix of people of all ages and all nationalities arriving,” he said. “The other day, a group of veterans was sitting out in the sun. Children were coming up to ask for photos. Then a coach full of American tourists stopped. Every one of them that got off the bus went and shook hands with the veterans. This is the last big date when we’ll have so many veterans. | “We’ve had a real mix of people of all ages and all nationalities arriving,” he said. “The other day, a group of veterans was sitting out in the sun. Children were coming up to ask for photos. Then a coach full of American tourists stopped. Every one of them that got off the bus went and shook hands with the veterans. This is the last big date when we’ll have so many veterans. |
| “Donald Trump is a divisive figure but from my point of view, the president of the US has been invited to join in the commemorations of Europe being freed from the tyranny of fascism. For me it doesn’t really matter who the president is in that context. It’s about the post rather than the person.” | “Donald Trump is a divisive figure but from my point of view, the president of the US has been invited to join in the commemorations of Europe being freed from the tyranny of fascism. For me it doesn’t really matter who the president is in that context. It’s about the post rather than the person.” |
| Ernie Nelson, a 95-year-old veteran from Cheshire, said it was “first class” to be back in Portsmouth for the 75th anniversary. Nelson was a wireless telegraphist on HMS Scourge, which escorted convoys to Sword beach and provided fire support to troops when they landed. | |
| “A lot of memories come back to me, that’s the trouble,” he said. “I get flashbacks, I remember the people I was with at that time.” His daughter, Susan Conneely, said this was not the time or place for demonstrations: “It’s all about remembrance, it’s not about politics.” | “A lot of memories come back to me, that’s the trouble,” he said. “I get flashbacks, I remember the people I was with at that time.” His daughter, Susan Conneely, said this was not the time or place for demonstrations: “It’s all about remembrance, it’s not about politics.” |
| Letitia Abbott, a US citizen, was in Portsmouth to remember her father, Jack, who landed at Omaha beach on D-day. “He was deeply affected,” she said. “He would talk about it but he couldn’t do some things, such as go to the movies, for years after. It was just too much for him. I’m here because I loved my father and I wanted my son [also Jack] to come here and understand it all.” | Letitia Abbott, a US citizen, was in Portsmouth to remember her father, Jack, who landed at Omaha beach on D-day. “He was deeply affected,” she said. “He would talk about it but he couldn’t do some things, such as go to the movies, for years after. It was just too much for him. I’m here because I loved my father and I wanted my son [also Jack] to come here and understand it all.” |
| Abbott said it was right that the US president should be present but she was sad it was Trump who was in office. “This is the guy with bone spurs who couldn’t fight in Vietnam.” | Abbott said it was right that the US president should be present but she was sad it was Trump who was in office. “This is the guy with bone spurs who couldn’t fight in Vietnam.” |
| The event on Southsea Common will tell the story of the buildup to D-day through live music, performance and testimonials. Those not invited will be able to watch on big screens on the common, although some residents feel they have been pushed away from it because of the security. | The event on Southsea Common will tell the story of the buildup to D-day through live music, performance and testimonials. Those not invited will be able to watch on big screens on the common, although some residents feel they have been pushed away from it because of the security. |
| Hundreds of veterans will attend the ceremony and up to 300 will board a cruise ship, the MV Boudicca, later on to retrace their route to Normandy 75 years ago accompanied – as they were then – by a flotilla of Royal Navy vessels. | Hundreds of veterans will attend the ceremony and up to 300 will board a cruise ship, the MV Boudicca, later on to retrace their route to Normandy 75 years ago accompanied – as they were then – by a flotilla of Royal Navy vessels. |
| The leader of Portsmouth council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said he hoped the protesters would stay away from the common and the Tory group leader in the city, Donna Jones, said demonstrations would make the event about Trump rather than the veterans. | The leader of Portsmouth council, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, said he hoped the protesters would stay away from the common and the Tory group leader in the city, Donna Jones, said demonstrations would make the event about Trump rather than the veterans. |
| D-day | D-day |
| Donald Trump | Donald Trump |
| Portsmouth | Portsmouth |
| Military | Military |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |