Hundreds of people gathered in Norwich to mark the 70th anniversary of the landings at a service of remembrance and commemoration.
Veterans assembled at the war memorial as bagpipes signalled the opening of the service. Leading the ceremony, the Rev Janet Wyer said: 'We can look back and say that day, D-Day, was the day that saw the beginning of the end of the Second World War in Europe.'
The service had been organised by the Norwich branch of the Normandy Veterans Association for members who were not able to travel to France. A party of 16 members of the group are currently in Normandy, on a trip part funded by the EDP and Evening News.
Yesterday's event in Norwich was timed to match the one in Bayeux, and Rev Wyer said this was an important way of connecting with the Norfolk veterans in Normandy.
She said: 'We are separated by distance… but we are united with them in this act of commemoration.'
Len Mann, chairman of the Norwich and District branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, read Laurence Binyon's The Fallen, which was followed by the Last Post and a two-minute silence.
Mr Mann, 89, and MP Chloe Smith laid the first poppy wreaths on the memorial, followed by veterans and schoolchildren from Thurton and Blofield Junior Schools.
The standards then led the procession into St Peter Mancroft Church where General The Lord Dannatt, former Chief of the General Staff, gave an address.
During the service, Charlotte Rix from Thurton Junior School read a poem and the whole church joined in saying the Normandy Veterans Prayer.
After the ceremony, Lord Dannett said: 'To me it is a day of great commemoration and I think it's a great day of good thankfulness.
'One reflects on the fact that 156,000 people stormed ashore on this day 70 years ago from 5,000 ships supported by 4,000 aircraft and they did it.
'I think we just have to support and reflect and give great thanks for the sacrifice of those who lost their lives.'
Normandy veteran Mr Mann, who spent 6 days at sea before storming the beaches on D-Day and going on to attack Br é ville said the ceremony was 'absolutely marvellous'.
He added: 'Our secretary and myself have been doing everything to organise this. I'm really please so many people have turned out.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here