THE Freedom of the former Borough of Falmouth is to be given to an American infantry division involved in the protection and defence of Cornwall in 1944 before taking part in the D-Day landings in Normandy.

The prestigious honour will be given to the United States 29th Division by Falmouth town council during a three-day programme of events planned in and around Falmouth to commemorate the 60th anniversary of D-Day.

From May 29 until May 31 those taking part will also commemorate the St Nazaire and Dunkirk campaigns, remembering those who took part and the close links they had with Falmouth.

Central to the commemoration programme will be the granting of the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to the United States 29th Infantry Division.

"This is the highest honour that any town can bestow on a military unit and rarely given," said Maureen Davies, mayor of Falmouth.

"The division was charged with the defence and protection of Cornwall in 1944 and embarked from ports, fishing villages and beaches in the county for the D-Day assault on Omaha Beach. The furthest West beach embarkation was from the beach at Trebah."

Saturday, May 29, is Military Day at Trebah Gardens. The programme for the day will include a UK and US veterans ceremony. The Parachute Regiment Band and Pipe Band will play throughout the day.

There will be a memorial service led by the Bishop of Truro, the Rt Rev Bill Ind, and a helicopter from Culdrose will drop a wreath off the beach at Trebah.

On Sunday, May 30, Pendennis Castle will be the venue with a full programme of events including a performance from the Parachute Regiment Band, living history displays of World War Two weapons, the Military Vehicle Trust and many other attractions. The day will culminate with an evening concert by the Glenn Miller Orchestra UK.

"So many people are pulling together to make sure that the commemorations are a fitting tribute to those who achieved so much," said Callie Saxty, custodian at Pendennis and chairman of the D-Day 60 Committee.

"The event will enable people to understand the importance of the D Day, St Nazaire and Dunkirk campaigns during the war and to enjoy the programme planned. Our partners from overseas have been included and the Free French will be holding an exhibition about their role between 1940 and 1944."

Monday, May 31, will be devoted to the Honorary Freedom of Falmouth for the US 29th Division. The commemorations will include a full parade from The Moor to Events Square led by the Parachute Regiment Band, US 29th Infantry Division, Regimental Standard Bearers, Colour Parties, veterans and service and other units. The official ceremony for the presentation of the Honorary Freedom of Falmouth will take place at Events Square and will be attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, the Queen's Representative. There will be a fly past of modern and vintage aircraft before veterans and dignitaries attend an afternoon programme of displays and entertainment at Pendennis Castle.

The Falmouth Commemoration weekend, held over the late May Bank Holiday, will be central to a year round programme of commemoration events which will be held during 2004 and hosted by organisations throughout the county.

Dr Chris Hibbert, education officer for Trebah Gardens, is co-ordinating a Heritage lottery funded oral history project to mark the 60th Anniversary of D-Day.

Eyewitness accounts and recollections of life during the Second World War are being collected and will be recorded as a lasting account of war time life and experiences.

Constantine Primary School is taking part in the project, many of the children at the school now being the same age as their grandparents were at the time of the war.

"We have already received many fascinating and touching recollections of life in Cornwall at the time of the Second World War," said Chris.

If anyone has any stories to tell of the war and of the lead up to D-Day in Cornwall, the Packet would like to hear from them. In the coming months we will be including them in the Packet.

Send your stories and pictures to Packet Newspapers, Falmouth Business Park, Bickland Water Road, Falmouth, TR10 4SZ or e.mail editorial@packetseries.co.uk

Many of those who took part in the D-Day landings from Falmouth will be joining up with other Cornish veterans in June to travel to Normandy to take part in huge commemorations there. Major David Preece, churchwarden of Falmouth's parish church of King Charles the Martyr, will lead them.