A wreath laying ceremony, the lighting of beacons and music performances are among the events planned to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day in the Watford area on Thursday.
On June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne invasion in history landed on the beaches of Normandy which began the liberation of France and ultimately the Allied victory in the Second World War.
Watford Borough Council, Watford legend Luther Blissett's Forces United organisation, Croxley Green Parish Council and Hertsmere Borough Council all have events planned that people can attend to remember and honour those who helped turn the tide in the battle for freedom.
Watford Borough Council tribute
The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, mayor of Watford and chairman of Watford Borough Council are due to attend a flag raising and wreath laying ceremony at Watford Town Hall at 11am on Thursday where children from Beechfield School will read out a special D-Day poem.
The public is also invited to gather at Watford Museum, in Lower High Street, just before 9pm to hear the Lord-Lieutenant read out the proclamation.
The poem will be read again before the beacon is lit at 9.15pm, followed by a performance by the North London Military Wives Choir.
Forces United tribute
Veterans from Watford and surrounding area started their D-Day tributes with a visit to the Poppy Factory in Richmond.
They were led by Watford FC legend Luther Blissett, who created Forces United to bring together various groups and activities provided for the Armed Forces and Veterans across the area.
Forces Untied is a division of his charity Former Players Club and it has a programme of events planned for Thursday, including a wreath laying ceremony and fish & chip lunch at their Sun Sports & Social Club headquarters in Watford.
A tribute to Operation Neptune, as it was codenamed, will follow in the evening at the home of Rickmansworth and Croxley Sea Cadets at TS Renown where Luther, who is a Deputy Lieutenant, will meet cadets and read the proclamation and cadet chaplain Rev Tony Rindl will lead a tribute.
This will culminate in the lighting of the ‘lantern of hope’ accompanied by a special performance by Clare Cordell, who appeared on The Voice UK.
Croxley Green tribute
Croxley Green Parish Council is also taking part in in the international tribute and lighting of the beacon, starting with the reading of the proclamation at 8am.
Other highlights include a D-Day exhibition at the council offices before at 6.30pm the bells of All Saints Church will join other churches across the country in ringing out their bells as a symbol of piece.
The main event will then take place on The Green from 8.50pm, again culminating in the lighting of the beacon.
Hertsmere Borough Council tribute
A piper, Mr George Carr, will play outside the Civic Offices in Borehamwood at 8am tomorrow.
The Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr Richard Butler, will attend to thank Mr Carr on behalf of communities in Hertsmere.
The D-Day 80 Flag of Peace will fly outside the Civic Offices from 9am for one week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here