Ss. Simon & Jude Church, Cockshutt
Waking up early on these gloriously long and hot summer days, there is nothing so wonderful as sitting quietly outside listening to the growing intensity of the dawn chorus. It is a truly wonderful gift that we can all enjoy. The day ahead is like an open book; we have no knowledge about what lies before us.
And yet, 79 years ago, on 6th June 1944, and thereafter, thousands of young men knew exactly what was before them – the horror of battle in what we now term the D-Day landings on the beaches of Northern France.
We will never know how they felt, the courage and bravery which pushed them further into the depths of hell, to secure freedom, truth and justice for their families, friends and future generations.
We owe these young men more than we can ever understand or know; what we can do is quietly remember them and give humble thanks for their sacrifice. What more can we do?
So, without fanfare, a posy of fresh summer flowers and foliage, picked straight from the garden, is placed on the WW2 memorial inside Ss. Simon & Jude Church, along with a simple prayer:
Greater love hath no man than this
That a man lay down his life for his friends.
(John 15:13)
(The organ is the WW2 memorial).