Opinions: Were you moved by D-Day?

Saturday 11 June 1994 23:02 BST
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RICHARD WILSON (OBE), actor: I was moved by seeing the ordinary men talking about their experiences. The courage shown made one wonder what one would have done oneself.

FRANK CRIBB, 70, disabled Normandy veteran, 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders: I was very moved watching it on television. It was a good turn out, but there were a couple of people who should not have been there. The Prime Minister and President Clinton were not Normandy veterans and the Queen was enough of a representative for our country. All the paraphernalia was carried a bit far and I do not agree with the way it was organised.

EDWIN WILLIAMS, 74, secretary of the Normandy Veterans Association, Isle of Wight: The commemorations were marvellous and a very good job was done. Forty of our members went over to Normandy but had their hotel reservations gazumped by American forces, as usual, but they managed to find alternative accommodation. People who have returned say that the French could not have been more helpful. Families let them stay and would accept no money and the French police did a great job; they even brought coffee to one party stuck in the traffic jams.

RON MADDOX, 57, general secretary of the Buddhist Society: It was dignified and not triumphalist. It stirred up a lot of emotions and memories within myself. But I am glad that it is all behind us.

KATE ROPER, 22, trainee history teacher: I was moved to tears by watching the veterans parading in front of the Queen and then standing on the beaches. Those images were more moving than the old clips.

DONNA VARRICA, 35, Canadian journalist: I know many Canadians were involved but the commemorations left me cold. They were held for a time and place I know nothing about and have no affinity for.

IMOGEN STUBBS, 32, actress: Yes, I was. I lost both my grandfathers in the war. It wasn't a celebration of war, but of those who died in it. Lest we forget.

CASSANDRA HARRIS, 19, drama student: I didn't watch it. It doesn't really interest me. I mean, I know a lot of people died and that it was ultimately for our benefit, but that's just a party line, isn't it? It all happened so long ago.

PETER BUNDAY, 24, estate agent: No, it didn't move me. It struck me as more of a celebration than a service of remembrance - all big formation air shows and unnecessary razzmatazz. It just didn't have the right tone. Monday's Coronation Street caught the moment better.

KEITH CHEGWIN, Big Breakfast presenter: Extremely moved. It shouldn't just happen every 50 years - there should be more regular reminders.

MARK THOMAS, comedian: No - it was far too stage-managed, emphasising the dignitaries who were there. There were moments of genuinely moving remembrance and that should be the whole point of it, rather than some PR exercise for Bill Clinton.

(Photograph omitted)

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