MEMBERS of Okehampton branch of the Royal British Legion were moved by a letter of appreciation from Okehampton College students recently.
Written by Bernie Whitehorn, a history teacher at the college, and signed by 23 pupils of his Year 9 history class, the letter expressed the young people?s ?appreciation and gratitude to the men and women, who survived the D-Day landings and the many who gave their lives for our liberty?.
The class had been studying the events surrounding D-Day on June 6, 1944. Mr Whitehorn said everyone had learned much about preparations for the invasion and the bravery and sacrifice of British and Allied soldiers, sailors and airmen.
Branch secretary Peter Williams said legion members were especially pleased to read that the project enabled the students to appreciate the reasons for commemorating the 60th anniversary of D-Day last month.
?Such expressions of thanks so many years after the event go a long way to making the suffering of the second world war seem worthwhile for the surviving war veterans,? he said.
The branch also received letters of appreciation from the family of James Stacey, the branch standard bearer.
James, together with his mother, Christine, and other members of his family, including young cousins, attended the last day of the Royal Bath and West Show for the grand parade of the Royal British Legion marking the D-Day anniversary.
Legion contingents from all parts of the South West, including a good representation from Okehampton and the surrounding area, joined the parade in the main arena. It was reported that more people watched this event than any other activity during the four-day show.
Mr Williams said: ?Demonstrations of gratitude from today?s youth are a sign that standards have not dropped and the faith of the older generation in today?s young people has once again been restored.
?The Royal British Legion says thank you for your support.?