Speeches

[BlueToffee]

I have been charged with saying a few words to a small audience on 6 June, the 70th anniversary of D Day.

Is anyone able to point me in the right direction, or even come up with some appropriate words. It doesn't have to be much longer than a minute or so.

Thanks in advance.

[jeffa]

It would help if you said who the audience was!

[EcclesCake]

Who will the audience be? What is appropriate for a school group is not the same as a a handful of ex service personnel.

[BlueToffee]

Sorry for the delay in reply, been out for dinner, it's to a small group of family and friends, but quite poignant.

[emmie]

perhaps look for some poetry, would that be appropriate.

[BlueToffee]

It's one of the gathering's 70th birthday, and the few words need to be linked to the events on the Normandy beaches

[jeffa]

Perhaps you could go with the theme that the day represented the end of something unbelievably awful with the beginning of your friend's life?

[emmie]

not suggesting you use this, but one should watch it all the same, i know he was known for his comedy, but this is amazing,.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pK2WJd5bXFg

[Buenchico]

A (very) rough draught:

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Seventy years ago today was a time of great happiness for the Toffee family, as it was on that day that _____ came into this world. However I've been asked to remind you that it was also a time of very mixed emotions for our nation as a whole, as it was the day when Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, bring hope of victory and peace to all but also bringing the loss of loved ones to many. I'd like to read you a short poem relating to those events. It probably doesn't qualify as 'great poetry' but, since it was written by one of the men who landed on Juno beach, it still has true meaning. This is 'Normandy' by Cyril Crain:

Come and stand in memory
Of men who fought and died
They gave their lives in Normandy
Remember them with pride.

Soldiers, Airman, sailors
Airborne and marines
Who in civvy life were tailors
and men who worked machines.

British and Canadian
And men from USA
Forces from the Commonwealth
They all were there that day

To Juno, Sword and Utah
Beaches of renown
Also Gold and Omaha
That’s where the ramps went down.

The battle raged in Normandy
Many lives were lost
The war must end in victory
And this must be the cost

When my life is over
And I reach the other side
I’ll meet my friends from Normandy
And shake their hands with pride.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask that you stand and raise your glasses in memory of those who took part of the D-Day landings".

[emmie]

brilliant.

[BlueToffee]

Thank you Buenchico, just what I was looking for.