I have just returned from a family holiday in Northern France during which I, two of my brothers, and my father visited the grave of my father's uncle who was killed, at the age of 24, on D-Day. He never even made it off the beach.
This was the first visit to the cemetery (Bayeux) for my brothers and myself, although my father had been before. Even though I never knew my great uncle (I was born 41 years after his death) it was still an incredibly moving experience. All of us were moved to tears at one point.
A few things will forever remain my mind:
The peace and serenity of the beautifully kept cemetery and memorials.
The way that whole RAF crews were buried together - just as they had trained, played, fought and died together.
The rows and rows of Marines who died on 6th June 1944 - their unit must have been decimated.
The presence of Czechs, Poles, Russians and even at least one Italian in the cemetery.
The fact that Jews and Christians were buried side by side.
The sight of a whole RAF crew of seven men killed just 6 days before the end of the war.
The presence of German soldiers in the same cemetery as the British and Commonwealth personnel - all equal in death.
Finally the youth of many of those who died - espcially the German soldiers, many of whom were 16, 17 or 18 years old.
As an ex serviceman I am well aware that it is only a matter of timing (and maybe some luck) that means that I am not there - the Cold War could have gone "hot" at any time. The sacrifice of these men (and women), service and civilian (there was at least on female church worker in Etaples cemetery, for example) touched me and although I never knew any of them, I always feel close to them.
I took my 7 year old daughter to the cemetery at Etaples, and did my best to explain. But how can you? All that we can do is remember, honour and cherish those who gave their lives and do our best to ensure that this sacrifice is not required in the future. I am confident that we will continue to do the former - I am not so confident of the latter.