John's place by the
President, having laid his wreath.
A mid Norfolk Man has spoken of his
pride at laying a wreath alongside one placed by the President George W Bush at
the D Day 60thanniversary commemorations.
Staff Sgt John Gilbert, of Cawston , was given the honour of representing the
Heritage Leagueof the Second Air Division (USAAF) at the Normandy American cemetery at
Colleville Sur Mer.
President Bush had laid his wreath earlier and Mr Gilbert put floral decorations
on the Cenotaph, paid respects and saluted.
He has contributed extensively to Anglo-American relations over many years, when
aged just four,
his family was bombed out of Norwich in the Blitz and they were re-housed at Wendling.
The newly constructed airfield in the village was to become the home of the 392
Bomb Group 2nd
air division, 8th USAAF, and Mr Gilbert has kept in contact with members of the
bomber crews.
Mr Gilbert, who has been given the Queen's Lord Lieutenants Certificate for
services rendered
and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, was looked after by a lieutenant colonel
from the Pentagon
who showed him round the Normandy cemetery He paid respects to Staff Sgt Stanley J Prazak and 2nd Lt Charles R Stratton Jnr,
both from the 577th, 392nd Bomb Group which was based at Wendling.
Mr Gilbert said: "I was very proud and honoured to have the privilege of being
there and there are
no words to describe how I felt."
Mr Gilbert is part of a very select band of men who have worn Her Majesty's
uniform for 50 years.
He joined the Army Cadet Force in Dereham in 1953 and his career includes
service with a range
of regiments including the 1st Bn The Royal Norfolk Regiment, 1st Bn Suffolk
Regiment and
100 Fd Regt RA (V).
Photo of John (Centre) with Terry Waite and the Gentleman on the right was
a
Japanese prisoner of war and worked on the bridge over the river Kwai, all
at the
7th Armoured Division
Thetford Forest
Memorial Association Open Day
Remembrance Service 2007
