rodney cairns, seven, travelled 300 miles over eight days in a second world war ford jeep. and young rodney cairns will be among the congregation today. he first met harry in arromanches on the 75th anniversary of d day in 2019. a chance meeting that became a cherished friendship. we were like best friends, because we would chat over the phone so many times. and we would chat for about an hour. he served in the war and fought for our country. i liked listening to his stories because he told me all about when he was young, when he was fighting, when he got onto the beach. veterans are just amazing. rodney, well i said very fond of harry, but rodney informed me, no, he loved him. and, yes, they were very close and they would send each other photographs and cards. harry made rodney an honorary member of the normandy veterans association. a lovely friendship. friendship was so important to him. those of today and those of 1944.
because we would chat over the phone so many times. and we would chat for about an hour. he served in the war and fought for our country. i liked listening to his stories because he told me all about when he was young, when he was fighting, when he got onto the beach. veterans are just amazing. rodney well i said very fond of harry, but rodney informed me, no, he loved him. and, yes, they were very close and they would send each other photographs and cards. harry made rodney an honorary member of the normandy veterans association. a lovely friendship. friendship was so important to him. those of today and those of 1944. we witnessed it as he, at long last, for the first time, was able to touch the walls of the british normandy memorial above gold beach in france.