Page 82 - Bugle Autumn 2024

ASSOC & WELLBEING
NORMANDY: 80th D-DAY ANNIVERSARY (TRA AND AARP)
I was privileged to accompany Baz Melia’s AARP team to the Normandy 80th D-Day Anniversary where he had invited a few younger veterans suffering from severe combat PTSD (Ops TELIC and HERRICK) and Dave Lucey, an AARP sponsor. Whilst not without its challenges, the five-day trip proved to be a positive threshold for the veterans and something I was grateful to be part of.
The anniversary was spectacular and ably supported by The Rifles given our links to the landings and Pegasus Bridge. Gen Bob Pascoe managed to find the time to speak
to RIFLES veterans on the site of the original bridge.
Mention must go to the Ham and Jam veterans (mostly ex-1LI) who marched to and from the all the individual Normandy beaches, finishing at Pegasus Bridge on the 6th of June, crossing it with the rest of 80th Anniversary parade. They managed to raise nearly £60k for the AARP – an astonishing amount, which all the veterans physically put themselves through the mill, marching a huge distance to raise this sum.
General Bob Pascoe and Brigadier David Innes were on hand to present the medals to a tired but exceptionally cheerful and proud group of veterans and partners, which was a particular highlight as it was conducted in the typical, no nonsense, warm and friendly atmosphere that is synonymous with The Rifles and its antecedent regiments.
82 RIFLES The Bugle