LOCAL war veterans turned out in large numbers on Sunday to mark the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings, with some actually making the poignant pilgrimage to the Normandy beaches.
Frank J. McGovern (DFC) from Rainford Road, whose rank was Flight Lieutenant, actually made the trip over to Normandy.
He told the Star: "I travelled to Paris on the Friday night and then set off to Normandy on Sunday morning. It was chaos on arrival as some roads had been blocked off.
"I managed to eventually get down to Sword Beach which was a truly memorable experience. I actually got some sand in my shoes.
"I then headed for Bayeux. We hoped to see the big cemetery where the service was being held but it was far too congested and we had to position ourselves about half a mile away.
"Dignitaries including British Prime Minister Tony Blair and current French President Jacques Chirac attended the occasion and you could just feel the emotion running through the veins of so many people.
"Being on Sword Beach really did bring back some special memories. I also visited one British cemetery in Douvres where 1,123 casualties are buried, with the majority of which were British but also there was some German, Australian and Canadian victims as well.
"Before heading for home I got to see Pegasus Bridge and I also visited Caen."
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