Normandy Veterans.?

For topics that are specific to the USA, please go here.
Gastines
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2007 2:12 pm
Location: 5mins St.Malo.

Normandy Veterans.?

Post by Gastines »

Just got onto the U.S.A. site and very surprised to see no mention of any visitors to the Normandy Veterans Memorial Events. We went up from St.Malo to Bayeux for 4 days hoping to see President Obama but at the American Cemetary at Coleville Sur Mere it was invites only. I must say the event was well laid on with 7000chairs etc etc and even dozens of extra toilets. We went to the British Cemetary at Bayeux attended by The Prince of Wales,French Prime Minister Fillon and wife plus;of course;hundreds of Veterans bedecked with their Medals.No chairs and no loos but no- one complained. Standing behind us and chatting to us was a Private Ryan,featured the day after in the French papers but he did tell us although he did well out of the film connection, he was not The Private Ryan. He said he lives on his boat and is either moored up in Florida or The Bahamas. Does anyone know this gentlemen? We have some photo's he may like.
Apart from his stories the Veterans who spoke to us British and American told us some amazing stories,the whole event and the trouble and care by the French Cities,Towns and Villages was brilliant.