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Veterans in final Cenotaph parade | Veterans in final Cenotaph parade |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hundreds of war veterans have marched past the Cenotaph in central London for the last time. | Hundreds of war veterans have marched past the Cenotaph in central London for the last time. |
Members of the Normandy Veterans' Association (NVA) have taken part in the parade for over 20 years. | Members of the Normandy Veterans' Association (NVA) have taken part in the parade for over 20 years. |
The association admitted Sunday's march would be the final one for many of its "dwindling" number of veterans. | The association admitted Sunday's march would be the final one for many of its "dwindling" number of veterans. |
An estimated 10,000 Allied troops were killed, wounded or captured during the 1944 invasion of Normandy to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. | An estimated 10,000 Allied troops were killed, wounded or captured during the 1944 invasion of Normandy to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation. |
The veterans marched from King Charles Street, off Whitehall, to the Cenotaph for a service and wreath-laying. | The veterans marched from King Charles Street, off Whitehall, to the Cenotaph for a service and wreath-laying. |
We will always remember the sacrifices that were made NVA national chaplain Ken Ward | We will always remember the sacrifices that were made NVA national chaplain Ken Ward |
An emotional crowd clapped as the NVA set off for the final time, 65 years after the Normandy landings. | |
As is traditional, the standards were lowered as the Last Post was played before a minute's silence was held. | As is traditional, the standards were lowered as the Last Post was played before a minute's silence was held. |
Honorary general secretary of the Normandy Veterans' Association Peter Hodge said: "The veterans are dwindling in numbers and with the increasing loss of mobility - the average age is now nearly 85. | Honorary general secretary of the Normandy Veterans' Association Peter Hodge said: "The veterans are dwindling in numbers and with the increasing loss of mobility - the average age is now nearly 85. |
"They are such an illustrious, gallant group of men. | "They are such an illustrious, gallant group of men. |
"It's been a tremendous privilege for me to be of service to them." | "It's been a tremendous privilege for me to be of service to them." |
NVA national chaplain Ken Ward said: "We can be thankful to God that we have lived all these years. | NVA national chaplain Ken Ward said: "We can be thankful to God that we have lived all these years. |
"We will always remember the sacrifices that were made." | "We will always remember the sacrifices that were made." |