06 June 2024 , 15:04
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A special pin has been introduced by the Royal British Legion Poppy Shop to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, The D-Day 80 lapel pin is made from elements of the monumental event of June 1944.
Designed as a tribute to the brave individuals who served and sacrificed on D-Day, The Royal British Legion's Poppy Shop has collaborated with Icarus Originals to create a limited-edition poppy pin honouring those who landed on the Normandy beaches on June 6, 80 years ago.
The meticulously handcrafted lapel pin is crafted with sand from Gold Beach and reclaimed metal shavings taken from the restored landing craft LCT 7074, which played a pivotal role in the D-Day operations and is now exhibited at The D-Day Story in Portsmouth. Each pin comes with a commemorative certificate that shares the experiences of four surviving veterans who participated in the D-Day operations 80 years ago and the names of all the courageous soldiers who served and made sacrifices on that historic day.
One of those veterans is 100 year-old Bernard Morgan, who was the youngest RAF sergeant to land in Normandy during the D-Day operation. He said, "I'm honoured that the Royal British Legion's Poppy Shop has included my story in their new pin. The pin is crafted with sand from Gold Beach, which is where I landed 80 years ago. Gold Beach was one of the better landing points on D-Day, but I can still vividly remember seeing dead bodies scattered all over the beach as I came ashore, and that is a sight that will stay with me forever."
Alan Lock, co-founder and veteran of Icarus Originals who lives in Shropshire expressed, "The D-Day landings represented a pivotal turning point in history, signalling the start of the downfall of Hitler's oppressive regime. Therefore, it held paramount significance for us to encapsulate the spirit of this historic battle within the materials employed in fashioning the poppy pin. We are delighted with the outcome."
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Leanne Western-Wise Product Buyer and Developer at the Royal British Legion, comments, "We're delighted to release such a special pin to remember all those who served and sacrificed in the D-Day landings 80 years ago. We mustn't forget the many thousands in the Armed Forces who risked their lives to fight for the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted today. The money raised from this pin goes towards ensuring the Royal British Legion can continue its vital work supporting serving and ex-serving personnel and their families."
The D-Day 80 Pin is handmade in England. Due to the nature of recycling World War Two vintage metals, minor blemishes, flaws, and inconsistencies may be present, imbuing each pin with a unique charm and character. Some red enamel may exhibit dark spots, which are filings from the historic LCT 7074 steel. The "D-Day 80 Lapel Pin" is £ 45 and exclusive to the official Poppy Shop
Notably, 100 percent of the profit from each purchase at the Poppy Shop goes toward funding the essential support that The Royal British Legion provides to the Armed Forces community.