Veterans volunteer for taxi route to Normandy parade
NORMANDY veterans from across the UK will return to France next month – in a fleet of London taxis.
The trip is being organised by The London Taxi Benevolent Association for War Disabled and will celebrate the charity's 60th anniversary.
It will coincide with VE Day anniversary celebrations in France on May 8.
A fleet of 50 taxis will leave the Union Jack Club in London, and veterans will be picked up on the way to Portsmouth – where the total number of taxis will come to about 90.
Taxis carrying 171 veterans, including 25 from Portsmouth, will take a ferry to Caen in Normandy. They will leave Portsmouth on May 7 and return on May 11.
The taxi drivers are all volunteers who are giving up their time for the special journey.
The charity held a similar event in 1994 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Derek Leone, from the charity, said he felt it it could be 'one of the last big gatherings' of Normandy veterans.'
While the veterans are in Normandy, they will take part in a VE Day commemoration parade and will be presented with the Normandy Campaign Medal at a special dinner in Caen.
They may even get to meet French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who, it is believed, is expected to be visiting the area at that time.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
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