D-Day Commemorations and The Red Arrows (05.06.19)

I was really proud to see Portsmouth all over the television today for the D-Day Commemorations. I had to do my volunteering this morning but this afternoon I braved the Esplanade on my own (husband and children busy at school until after 5pm today) The Red Arrows were doing a display over Southsea which was to be clearly visible from Ryde so I just had to be there! I was so happy to be feeling positive and confident enough to go out on my own to an event that I knew would be busy with people. It was well worth stepping out of my comfort zone because it was a really fantastic display and we even had the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance land on the beach just along from where I was which was unexpected but quite a sight!

I've always loved The RED Arrows from as far back as I can remember. Throughout my childhood I attended various different events along Southsea Seafront, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and some of the major airshows. My parents are very keen on military and naval history and the interest/knowledge has definitely been passed on. I was brought up trained to look skywards whenever hearing the sound of an aircraft. I particularly loved Chinooks as a child. Myself and my step-sister sent 'care packages' to soldiers serving in the Gulf war and I remember being thrilled to learn that mine had been given to a Chinook pilot. He sent me a letter back with Chinook stickers and photos. I was 11 or 12 at the time and it felt like a pretty cool thing to do. I may look into getting my kids to do something similar for the troops in Afghanistan.

When our children were small, me and my husband would always say 'Chin up for a Chinook' when bathing the children in an attempt to stop shampoo bubbles going in their eyes! They still occasionally say it now! It's going to be one of those things that just sticks I think. I do still get a bit of a thrill whenever I hear or see one flying over. It doesn't happen as often over here as it did when we lived on the mainland which is a bit of a shame.

Anyway, getting back to today. I have loved listening to the Veterans talking about D-Day and their memories of what they went through. It is quite incredible to even begin to try to understand the sacrifices they made and the horrors they saw. There is going to be more on this throughout tomorrow so I am sure I will be crying my eyes out glued to the television!

I didn't take any photos of the Red Arrows display because I was sat over rocks on the beach and I was terrified I'd accidentally drop my phone! So I took one as I was waiting for the display to start and then the phone was put safely away.

*I did find a photo online from the Red Arrows fly past over Normandy (06.06.19)*