Tunes and Flowers.

[Andrew McGeever]

I quote from today's Sunday Herald ; "The 51st Highland Division played an important role in the liberation of France, but until now there had been no monument to mark their achievement. Yesterday a statue of a Highland piper, made by sculptor Alan Heriot from Penicuik, was unveilled in a forest clearing. The inscription reads On 10 June 1944 the Highland Division made its first attack from this position in the Bois de Monts towards Breville. In this and the action at Chateau St. Come 110 men were killed in two days. Vastly outnumbered and against ferocious counterattacks, the Highlanders helped secure the Orne bridgehead only by steadfast, dedicated courage and sacrifice.In a moving ceremony, old soldiers choked back tears as a bugler sounded the Last Post, and a veteran spoke the words;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we shall remember them."

Alan Heriot was the sculptor whose statue of the soldier and the girl (the 51st Highland Division memorial in Perth) was the inspiration for me to write "Tunes and Flowers".

I find reading today's press, and watching the blanket T.V. coverage of the D-Day commemorations, so incredibly moving, especially the interviews with veterans. At times, I haven't been able to hold back my tears.

Andrew.

[lizzytysh]

These comments, exchanges, and commentary have been very touching. You understand the spirit beneath it all. Thanks for expressing it, all of you. Over here, they've only just now gotten around to creating a memorial for the WWII Veterans, and those who lost their lives. Approximately half a century after the fact.