One of the many beautiful Normandy traditions is the annual veterans’ parade and ceremony at Arromanches, which is followed by a sing along.

This year’s ceremony was supported by the British Army Band Catterick, Samoribha Pipe Band, and Jedburgh Pipes and Drum. I led the anthems and the sing along.

On request of Adrian Cox, a former chorister, I sang “The Silver Swan” by Orlando Gibbons.

“The silver Swan, who, living, had no Note,

when Death approached, unlocked her silent throat.

Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,

thus sang her first and last, and sang no more:

“Farewell, all joys! O Death, come close mine eyes!

More Geese than Swans now live, more Fools than Wise.”

We will remember them.