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Disappearing D-Day veteran Bernard Jordan turns 90 | Disappearing D-Day veteran Bernard Jordan turns 90 |
(14 days later) | |
A WW2 veteran who hit the headlines around the world after he disappeared from his nursing home in Hove to attend the D-Day commemorations in France has celebrated his 90th birthday. | A WW2 veteran who hit the headlines around the world after he disappeared from his nursing home in Hove to attend the D-Day commemorations in France has celebrated his 90th birthday. |
Bernard Jordan had decided to have a "low-key" birthday, spending it quietly with friends and his wife Irene. | Bernard Jordan had decided to have a "low-key" birthday, spending it quietly with friends and his wife Irene. |
But he received at least 2,500 birthday cards after his trip to Normandy. | But he received at least 2,500 birthday cards after his trip to Normandy. |
"I just can't believe it. It's quite overwhelming to be honest," the former Royal Navy officer said. | "I just can't believe it. It's quite overwhelming to be honest," the former Royal Navy officer said. |
The Candy Girls, who met Mr Jordan on his way to France, were also singing to him. | The Candy Girls, who met Mr Jordan on his way to France, were also singing to him. |
'Nothing special' | 'Nothing special' |
"I want to thank everyone who sent me a card or a gift," he said. "Sadly, I can't thank everyone in person so I hope they get this message. | "I want to thank everyone who sent me a card or a gift," he said. "Sadly, I can't thank everyone in person so I hope they get this message. |
"I'm just one man and I'm nothing special. Anyone would think I'd defeated Hitler on my own." | "I'm just one man and I'm nothing special. Anyone would think I'd defeated Hitler on my own." |
And he said: "There were a lot of other people on the beaches of Normandy that day. This lovely attention is for them really, not me." | And he said: "There were a lot of other people on the beaches of Normandy that day. This lovely attention is for them really, not me." |
On 5 June, Mr Jordan left The Pines care home, where he lives with his wife, and was reported missing to Sussex Police that evening. | On 5 June, Mr Jordan left The Pines care home, where he lives with his wife, and was reported missing to Sussex Police that evening. |
It was later discovered he was safe and well and had joined other veterans in France, where hundreds of veterans marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. | It was later discovered he was safe and well and had joined other veterans in France, where hundreds of veterans marked the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. |
Staff at his nursing home had tried to get him on to an accredited tour to Normandy with the Royal British Legion but it was a last-minute request and had not been possible. | Staff at his nursing home had tried to get him on to an accredited tour to Normandy with the Royal British Legion but it was a last-minute request and had not been possible. |
Undeterred, Mr Jordan decided he would go there anyway wearing his war medals under his grey mac, but his trip sparked a police alert. | Undeterred, Mr Jordan decided he would go there anyway wearing his war medals under his grey mac, but his trip sparked a police alert. |
His whereabouts was uncovered when a younger veteran from Brighton made a call to say he had met Mr Jordan on a coach and they were safe and well in a hotel in Ouistreham. | His whereabouts was uncovered when a younger veteran from Brighton made a call to say he had met Mr Jordan on a coach and they were safe and well in a hotel in Ouistreham. |
Mr Jordan, a former mayor of Hove, could soon be honoured with the Freedom of Brighton and Hove. | Mr Jordan, a former mayor of Hove, could soon be honoured with the Freedom of Brighton and Hove. |
Current mayor of the city Brian Fitch has put forward a proposal to the council's chief executive Penny Thompson. |
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