A SERVICE to remember the sacrifices made by troops in the D-Day landings was held in Milford Haven on Friday (June 6).

The event was part of a nationwide schedule to mark 70 years since the D-Day landings in Normandy, France, when British, American and Canadian troops took part in the largest sea-borne invasion in history.

Eight standard bearers, from the Royal British legion Milford Haven, Haverfordwest, Narberth, Tenby and Pembroke Dock branches, were in attendance, and one from the Royal Artillery Association, plus the few remaining local Normandy veterans.

Officiating was Steve Traynar, chaplain to the Legion, who described D-day as a ‘real turning point’ in the Allies’ fight against the Nazis.

British Legion branch president, veteran Lieutenant Colonel Douglas Joyce, read excerpts from Laurence Binyon’s famous poem For The Fallen.

The last post and reveille was followed by two minutes’ silence, and a reading of John Maxwell Edmonds’ famous prose: “When you go home, tell them of us and say: for their tomorrow, we gave our today.”

Wreaths were laid by Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Eric Harries, visiting veterans and local Royal British Legion members, and Father Harri Williams also gave a blessing.

Frank Stammers, chairman of the Milford Haven Royal British Legion, said the service went very well, with around 60 people in attendance, and many passers-by stopping to pay tribute.

“The freedom that we enjoy today is a result of those soldiers’ efforts, so it’s something we need to remember, to respect the veterans still around and so that youngsters can learn about what they did," added Mr Trayner.