D-Day veterans and our enduring debt to these national heroes – The Yorkshire Post says

THE FUNERAL of Sheffield war veteran Douglas Parker, 98, has even more poignancy, and resonance, ahead of next month’s 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
By YP Comment
Published 26th May 2021, 11:34 BST
Next month marks the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings.Next month marks the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Next month marks the 77th anniversary of the D-Day landings.

This proud member of the East Yorkshire Regiment was, until his death, one of the last survivors from the flotilla of landing craft that successfully captured Sword Beach. He ended the war on VE Day, just outside Bremen in Germany before being sent to Egypt and was demobbed in December 1946.

Yet, just as the passing of Harry Patch, the last Tommy, prompted a new-found awareness about the country’s debt to those who fought in the Great War, the same is also applicable to the Second World War and the modesty of men like Douglas Parker who redefined the meaning of heroism in the name of liberty – and our freedom.

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Our duty, by contrast and way of comparison, is far humbler – to remember such heroes and honour their service as time catches up with them.

Tributes have been paid to Sheffield D-Day veteran Douglas Parker who has died at the age of 98.Tributes have been paid to Sheffield D-Day veteran Douglas Parker who has died at the age of 98.
Tributes have been paid to Sheffield D-Day veteran Douglas Parker who has died at the age of 98.

And we will.

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Related topics:Douglas ParkerYorkshire PostSheffield

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