Letter: Portsmouth remembers D-Day
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: My belief in the innate good sense and fairness of the British people has been reinforced by the commendable stand by so many Second World War veterans and members of the Royal British Legion against the 'trivialisation' of the D-Day celebrations.
On D-Day itself, my uncle was still a prisoner of war in Burma, and my father a member of the invasion force. My uncle never spoke of his experiences, though others did. I have seen war veterans break down in his presence when they remember the privations he underwent. My family was bombed out of their house near the docks in Liverpool, and this disruption led, ultimately, to its break-up after the war. My father never recovered from a tropical skin condition contracted in the North African desert.
Still, when I was a child I was always brought up to remember the thousands who lost their lives in Germany, particularly in Hamburg and Dresden. My uncle simply said there is no glory in war.
Yours sincerely,
GERALD MURPHY
Liverpool
19 April
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments