It was an emotional day on Portland as it marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Portland has a well-known and proud military history. Leading up to D-Day - June 6, 1944, Portland and Weymouth were the main departure points for American troops heading to the Normandy beaches.
A Service of Remembrance in the morning at Victoria Gardens was followed later by a wreath-laying ceremony at the island's cenotaph.
Hundreds attended including two men who fought in the Second World War.
D-Day veteran Ken Swain, aged 99, was among the crowd. He fought as part of the Royal Navy and was just 18 at the time.
Read more: Dorset marks 80th D-Day anniversary
Currently living at Cheriton Care Home in Dorchester, he manned an Oerlikon 20mm cannon aboard the HMS Bickerton trying to clear Omaha Beach so that the American troops could land.
He said: "I am feeling great. I enjoyed it (the wreath laying service) and I am glad I came."
Also attending the wreath laying was WW2 and Korean war veteran Reg Fox, aged 97. He volunteered for the army at 17 as he 'was going to get called up anyway'.
He was fighting in India against the Japanese when D-Day took place. Following the war he left and re-joined, so that he could join the Tank Regiment.
He said of the wreath laying: "I thought it went marvellously. I thought it was wonderful - good turnout.
"I attend all the events - I find it all very emotional."
Mr Fox also works with the Royal British Legion doing Remembrance work and visits schools to talk to them about his experiences - including when his family evacuated from London to the west country after their home was bombed. Though he volunteered for the forces instead.
Many other former servicemembers attended to remember the sacrifices made by those who fought.
Mr Fox was joined by Dave Larcombe, chairman of the Royal Tank Regimental Association, Bournemouth Poole and District Branch.
Mr Larcombe served from 1971 until 2001 including tours in Cyprus, Canada and Northern Ireland.
He said: "It is really important to do this. I was pleased to see the two schools represented to lay wreaths, and so many people acknowledging Reg and the other WW2 vet."
The deputy mayor of Portland Charlie Flack also served in the medical branch of the Royal Navy for 22 years. He served in the Falklands in 1982 aboard the HMS Herald.
He said: "It was an eye-opening experience and not one I want to repeat.
"It is very important to remember. I was very touched yesterday when I saw veterans on TV say that the real veterans are the ones that don't come back, that brought about a leaky eye."
He was due to light the D-Day beacon on Portland at 9.15pm.
The D-Day Centre in Castletown was also very busy, as people took the opportunity to learn the history of that day 80 years ago.
The centre's founder Derek Luckhurst said: "The efforts of all the military enthusiasts here were well rewarded by the support from the general public who lined the road for our convoy of military vehicles this morning to wave and cheer."
One woman who took her kids out of school for the day to attend the events and learn about D-Day said: "I think it is so important to show them and get them to learn about it. We should never forget."
Michelle Eastmead and Sue Shaffer work on helicopter simulators in Yeovil and came down to the centre for a company outing.
Sue said: "Reading some of the boards here, it is just heart-breaking."
Michelle added: "I didn't realise there were so many Americans here on D-Day. it is amazing to come and see it all."
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 hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel