‘The People Who Gave us Today’ by Tomos Roberts. D-Day June 6th, 1944, 80th Anniversary

The People Who Gave us Today, by Tomos Roberts.

Across the ports of Southern England,
as nightfall fell some stopped to pray,
a monumental operations eve,
was 80 years ago today.

They watched and waited for their window,
calculated tides and tempestuous weather,
and as Normandy slept the stage was set,
for a day that would change the world forever.

The paratroopers prepared for their perilous passage,
the Royal Air Force soared toward enemy lines,
and a naval fleet of a scale unrivalled,
traversed a channel chocked with mines.

And soldiers most barely in their 20s,
armed with fortitude so few acquire,
faced with a fate we just can’t fathom,
each charged head first in that fire.

For a second contemplate that courage,
that sacrifice so void of self,
to give your life to foster freedom,
for the benefit of someone else.

When the longest day was finally finished,
and they’d seized a foothold on that ground,
because of all who bravely bore that burden,
the Atlantic wall came crashing down.

That’s why we dwell on D-Day decades later,
why we mark such days from history,
why we honour those that were dealt that duty,
and protect their lasting legacy.

Why we gather together to give recognition,
it’s a promise, a vow that will not cease to show,
gratitude for the lives and the future they fought for,
in a safety and freedom that they’ll never know.

It’s why we teach each fresh new generation,
to stay connected in one common way,
and as long as their stories are never forgotten,
we’ll remember the people who gave us today

C xxx

10 thoughts on “‘The People Who Gave us Today’ by Tomos Roberts. D-Day June 6th, 1944, 80th Anniversary


  1. The link you posted is to a video that’s justifiably banned here in the UK, as is the follow-up, because they’re considered to have been produced by white supremacists and pro-Nazis.

    This BLOG really isn’t the place for promoting such extremist material, and especially in a post commemorating the anniversary of D-Day.

    Shame on you!


    • I presume it’s the documentary video, have removed it. I had watched some of it and read some of the comments and had NO IDEA about what you said so thanks for the heads up however I am horrified if that is the case and also horrified that you would presume I had done this on purpose by the “shame on you” expression. That’s honestly truly upset me.

      Sorry if I have inadvertently caused offence to anyone.

      C xxx


    • Oh Sean, do you mean the link in a comment above, I really couldn’t see anything in the documentary I posted. I will check that link out and remove that comment if so xxx


    • It was a beautiful, heartfelt piece of poetry Tomos and yes of course. I will embed the link to your posting of it instead. Thank you c xxx

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