People can pay their respects to those who took part in the D-Day landings at a service of commemoration taking place in Luton tomorrow (Thursday June 6).
It takes place at the Normandy Veterans and Airborne Division Memorial Garden in Stockwood Park, and starts at 11am.
John Bavister, chairman of the Luton and District Ex-Services Association said: “Members of the public and any surviving personnel are invited to join us for the occasion. We hope people will come along to support the remaining survivors of this campaign.”
The Allied invasion of Normandy, on June 6, 1944, broke through Germany’s defences after five years of fighting against the Nazis.
There were 10,000 Allied casualties on D-Day itself, with the worst fighting taking place on Omaha beach.
Next year will see the 70th anniversary of D-Day, and the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
Mr Bavister said there would be no Armed Forces Day event in Luton this year due to lack of time to prepare.
“This is due to problems beyond our control,” he said. “So much has changed this year we thought it wise to scrap it.”
Mr Bavister suggested that not holding an Armed Forces Day event this year might be “a good thing”, as it was so soon after the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich.