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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| D-Day veterans promised support | D-Day veterans promised support |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The Ministry of Defence has said it will provide support for veterans wanting to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June. | The Ministry of Defence has said it will provide support for veterans wanting to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June. |
| It had previously said it had no plans to fund a trip, although it has not clarified what help is now on offer. | It had previously said it had no plans to fund a trip, although it has not clarified what help is now on offer. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also said he will attend the commemorations if heads of government are invited. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also said he will attend the commemorations if heads of government are invited. |
| The Normandy Veterans Association says it is yet to hear from the government about what help will be provided. | The Normandy Veterans Association says it is yet to hear from the government about what help will be provided. |
| For many of its members, the 65th anniversary will be their last chance to remember the sacrifices made on 6 June 1944. | For many of its members, the 65th anniversary will be their last chance to remember the sacrifices made on 6 June 1944. |
| It is estimated 500 UK veterans are still fit enough to make the journey to Normandy. | It is estimated 500 UK veterans are still fit enough to make the journey to Normandy. |
| Ed Slater: I'd love to know what their plans are | |
| The veterans association said it had been in talks with the MoD for several months about funding a trip but officials had refused financial help. | |
| Its chairman Ed Slater said he was looking forward to hearing from the government. | Its chairman Ed Slater said he was looking forward to hearing from the government. |
| "For 25 years, we have been going across to Normandy. As a national organisation, we have always funded ourselves," he said. | "For 25 years, we have been going across to Normandy. As a national organisation, we have always funded ourselves," he said. |
| "We were grateful on the 60th anniversary to get help from the government for veterans and their carers as well. The government will make sure there is appropriate British attendance - and will provide support so that veterans can participate Ministry of Defence spokesman | |
| "We are five years older and most of us have walking sticks, so we need help." | "We are five years older and most of us have walking sticks, so we need help." |
| Minister for Veterans Kevan Jones will be meeting the association's leaders next week to discuss the issue. | Minister for Veterans Kevan Jones will be meeting the association's leaders next week to discuss the issue. |
| An MoD spokesman said: "There is no question of the government's commitment to veterans and to full participation in an international commemoration of D-Day. | An MoD spokesman said: "There is no question of the government's commitment to veterans and to full participation in an international commemoration of D-Day. |
| "The government will make sure there is appropriate British attendance, including ministerial representation, and will provide support so that veterans can participate. | "The government will make sure there is appropriate British attendance, including ministerial representation, and will provide support so that veterans can participate. |
| Lives lost | Lives lost |
| "There is a significant British armed forces presence in Normandy every June and there will be again this year, including current members of units which fought on D-Day who will stand alongside veterans at wreath-laying ceremonies." | "There is a significant British armed forces presence in Normandy every June and there will be again this year, including current members of units which fought on D-Day who will stand alongside veterans at wreath-laying ceremonies." |
| The MoD had previously said it was policy to provide funding only to commemorate 25th, 50th, 60th and 100th anniversaries of nationally important events. | The MoD had previously said it was policy to provide funding only to commemorate 25th, 50th, 60th and 100th anniversaries of nationally important events. |
| Five years ago, every veteran received a grant of £330 from the Lottery Fund to pay for their trip to commemorate the 60th anniversary. | Five years ago, every veteran received a grant of £330 from the Lottery Fund to pay for their trip to commemorate the 60th anniversary. |
| The Allied Forces' landings on France's Channel coast in 1944 spearheaded the campaign to liberate western Europe from the Nazis. | The Allied Forces' landings on France's Channel coast in 1944 spearheaded the campaign to liberate western Europe from the Nazis. |
| It proved successful, although thousands of lives were lost, and within less than a year World War II in Europe was over. | It proved successful, although thousands of lives were lost, and within less than a year World War II in Europe was over. |