City MP Stephen Morgan has welcomed today’s news that Portsmouth will host the UK events to mark 80 years since D-Day.
Mr Morgan said it was right that the commemorations in June take place in Portsmouth, the home of The D-Day Story and the place where so many service personnel set sail for Operation Overlord all those years ago.
The commemorations will see ceremonies on a purpose-built stage, constructed on Southsea Common. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) also announced Portsmouth would hold a televised D-Day event on 5 June.
The Portsmouth South MP, whose grandfather was D-Day veteran, has long campaigned for the commemorations to take place in Portsmouth.
In the last year, the city MP has lobbied the Defence Secretary, Culture Secretary and tabled a series of parliamentary questions regarding the city’s role in D-Day 80.
Mr Morgan has met with the council, police and Royal Navy to discuss preparations, as well as hosted regular briefings with the Culture team at the council and met with British Council to discuss youth engagement at the event.
Mr Morgan will also be meeting with the Defence Minister responsible for the D-Day 80 preparations soon to ensure arrangements are in place to make sure the event appropriately honours our veterans and passes the story of their sacrifice onto the next generation.
Commenting, Portsmouth MP Stephen Morgan said:
“I am delighted that Portsmouth will host the UK events to mark 80 years since D-Day.
“The 80th anniversary of D-Day will provide us with the opportunity to remember the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our freedom and honour all D-Day Veterans including those who are still with us.
“It is right that these commemorations take place in Portsmouth, the home of The D-Day Story and the place where so many service personnel, including my grandfather, set sail for Operation Overlord all those years ago.
“Having lobbied government for Portsmouth to be named as the home for the national commemoration, I will now be meeting with Ministers to ensure preparations are in place to make sure the event appropriately honours our veterans and passes the story of their sacrifice onto the next generation.”
Mr Morgan’s Southsea-born grandfather, who passed away in 2012, served in the Royal Army Service Corp throughout World War 2, leaving Portsmouth for the Juno beach on his 17th birthday.
Upon his arrival back in Portsmouth, where he lived for the rest of his days, he helped found the Normandy Veterans Association which is still a strong commemorative body in the city today.
