SILHILLIANS came together to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Thursday June 6 marked 80 years since Operations Neptune and Overlord, the largest air, land, and sea invasion as the Allies sought to retake Western Europe from the Nazis.
In Kingshurst Reverend Mandy Harris and the Kingshurst Needle Crafters group stitched 4,000 poppies to form a massive cascade that flowed down from St Barnabas Church tower.
It was unveiled at a special event which saw children’s poems read out and a bugler to mark the occasion.
Paula Coyle, clerk to Kingshurst Parish Council, said: “We believe that the story behind this project embodies the spirit of community collaboration, creativity, and remembrance. It highlights the dedication of our residents to pay tribute to our history and honour the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.”
Veterans at The Royal Star and Garter paid tribute to comrades and loved ones throughout the day as singer Debbie Miles provided live entertainment.
The Monkspath Hall Road care home was decked with bunting and decorations to mark the day and residents watched live coverage of the UK national commemorations from the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, and observed the two-minute silence.
Shirley Hall, director of care and wellbeing at Royal Star and Garter, said: “Each of our homes has residents who served in the Second World War.
“We also have many more who lived through D-Day and remember the events surrounding that day 80 years ago vividly.
“It is important for our residents and our staff to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who took part in the D-Day landings. I’m glad we were able to do that.”
At ExtraCare’s Solihull Retirement Village a tribute honouring the land, sea and air branches of the armed forces stood proudly.
In Elmdon Park the beacon was lit following a service with readings and music from a piper.
Communities across the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories also lit their beacons of peace at the same time to celebrate the peace and freedom granted by those who sacrificed their lives during the largest naval, air and land operation in history.
Beacons were lit on the shorelines of the five beaches in Normandy where the D-Day landings took place.
