Island Landmarks to Light Up Red to Commemorate D Day

Douglas Promenade, the Tower of Refuge, the Legislative Buildings (“the Wedding Cake”), Imperial Buildings and Ramsey Swing Bridge will be lit up red tonight to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D Day.

It joins a series of special events being held as the Isle of Man joins the Allied nations in remembering the Normandy Landings and honouring the sacrifices made by allied forces on 6 June, 1944.

A service of reflection, organised by the Royal British Legion, will be held at St John’s Church, and led by Archdeacon the Venerable Irene Cowell.

A ceremony will take place at the War Memorial in St John’s where a ceremonial beacon will be lit at 9:15pm. It’s part of a network of beacon lighting events taking place across the UK and Allied nations. His Excellency and Lady Lorimer, the President of Tynwald and the Chief Minister, will lay wreaths at the ceremony.

Bruno Peek CVO OBE OPR, Pagaentmaster and organiser of the national beacon lighting initiative, said;

‘The light from the flames from the lamps and the beacons will represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war, with the lamp providing a very simple, safe, unique and cost-effective way of taking part in this important 80th anniversary occasion.’

More information can be found on the Government website: www.gov.im/dday80

Details about the national events and beacon lighting can be found at www.d-day80beacons.co.uk.