D-Day 80 The Last Veterans: George Horner from

D-Day 80: 100 Year Old Veteran George Horner Returns to Normandy

A Respected Veteran's Return

On the 80th anniversary of D-Day, Normandy welcomed back one of the last surviving British veterans, George Horner. This was a particularly special moment for George, who had returned to the beaches where he had landed with thousands of other soldiers as a 20-year-old in 1944.

A Moving Return

During his Pilgrimage, George was joined by his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. They visited the beaches, the war cemeteries, and the Pegasus Bridge, where he had fought bravely. The trip was filled with many powerful moments, including meeting other veterans and sharing stories.

Emotional Moments

"It's been very emotional," George said. "It brings back a lot of memories, good and bad, but it's been a privilege to be here and see the memorials. It's given me a chance to reflect on what happened here and remember the comrades I lost."

Honoring the Fallen

The group also paid their respects at the Bayeux War Cemetery, where over 4000 Commonwealth soldiers are buried. "It's very poignant to see all the graves of all the young men who died here," George said. "They didn't have to die, but they gave their lives so that we coud live in a free world."

Continuing the Legacy

George's granddaughter, Emma, said the trip had been a life-changing experience. "I think it's really important we don't forget what happened here. It's so easy to forget, but we have to keep telling the story."

D-Day: The Normandy Landings

D-Day, also known as the Normandy Landings, was the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944. It was the largest amphibious military operation in history, involving over 150,000 troops. The invasion was a turning point in World War II, leading to the eventual liberation of France and the defeat of Nazi Germany.