D-Day 80th - 6 June 2024
D-Day celebrations will be observed across the UK and in many other countries on 6 June 2024
Message from The Prime Minister
I am honoured to support the 80th anniversary celebrations to commemorate D-Day.
D-Day on 6 June 1944 was the largest Naval, Air and land Operation in history, involving many hundreds of thousands of brave men who had to leave their families at home, not knowing if they would ever return home, a feat we hope will never have to take place again.
The heroism of those who landed on the shores of the Normandy beaches, represented a beacon of light for the world during a particularly dark period of war. It is therefore fitting that local communities throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories and those along the shorelines of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches in Normandy, France, should light Beacons on 6 June 2024, in 'tribute to the light of peace that they brought out from the misery of darkness during that dreadful campaign, of which many unfortunately did not return. I am therefore delighted to support this initiative and I urge communities across the country to support this event.
I would like to pay particular tribute to Pageantmaster, Bruno Peek for his tremendous efforts in leading these historic celebrations. It also gives me great pleasure in congratulating The Royal Naval Association, The Merchant Navy Association, The Royal Airforce Benevolent Fund and ABF The Soldiers Charity for their remarkable efforts in supporting our service personnel, along with their families.
As we look forward to the future, I believe we should take strength from the shared hardship of our experience during World War II. That future is why so many of our service men gave their lives - and protecting the peace they fought for is the greatest way we can honour those who fell.
Rishi Sunak
February 2023
Beacons
Message to bonfire societies from East Hoathly & Halland Carnival Society
East Hoathly & Halland Carnival Society, known for some of the largest Sussex Bonfire celebrations outside of Lewes, has, since re forming after its cessation during the First World War in 1919, uniquely focused on Remembrance, with the Society’s motto ‘Lest we Forget’, is keen to play an active role in D-Day 80 - 6th June 2024, by lighting a Beacon at 9.15pm that evening. The Society would like to encourage every other Bonfire Society within the UK to take part, using their involvement to pay tribute to those who gave so much to ensure we all enjoy the freedom we have today, especially as the light of the Beacons will represent the ‘light of Peace’ that emerged from the darkness of WWII.
Ant Becvar
Chairman
Our Beacon
Our beacon on East Hill will be lit, along with a great many others in the UK and overseas on 6 June 2024 at 9:15pm
Mark, our captain of Beacons runs this event - beacons@hbbs.info
Country-wide event information can be found here: www.d-day80beacons.co.uk including ways to get involved as a fish & chip shop, a pub, and all manner of other ways of marking the day