Moved to tears

Tony says the pilot waved and the kids waved back. It was only later that he realised the wave had meant "Get out of the way!" and that's why he's been feeling so guilty. I was there, too, GreyDuster and the atmosphere was wonderful. They were saying there were 10,000 there. People had never seen the park so full. It was so moving, even walking down to the park, in amongst so may others, with the same purpose. So different from shopping crowds or football crowds or rush hour crowds. Marvellous. Warmed the cockles of your heart.

I live in Sheffield near to Endcliffe Park and having often walked past the crash site, followed Tony’s story with interest . From the top floor of my house , I was able to witness the “ Mi Amigo “ memorial planes as they flew overhead. They changed direction and I got a clearer view . It was a very moving and fitting memorial to a group of young American airmen who sacrificed their lives to save others .

He looks after the memorial as, in 1944, he was in a park with his friends and the American plane was in difficulty overhead. The pilot managed to divert the plane so that it didn't crash in the park and kill Tony and his friends. 10 airmen died. Please someone correct me if I've got this wrong?

I watched this on TV and had passed the story on to my son in Warwick so he watched it live with my 5 year old GS as they both love seeing planes. As others as said, it was a very moving tribute to those 10 young men and a very special day for Tony. I shed tears too!

As CharlieGirl said, it was such a shame that Dan Walker was unable to be there as he had such a huge part in making the event happen. Surely Kilimanjaro could have waited for a couple of days! It’s good to see that the event has made it into some of the daily papers today - much more heart warming than continual Brexit updates and crises!

I've no idea what he story's about, save a fly past and an elderly gentleman. What the two have in common I don't know, as, from the comments here, it seems he looked after a memorial. The rest of the story is blank to me.

Such a fitting tribute. Can't help but think that Tony Gould has been suffering from PSDO since he was 8. The distress in Tony and guilt in him was so evident. Do hope this memorial will give him some peace. On a lighter note perhaps, wasn't it wonderful to hear of children as young as 6 playing in the local park, without adult supervision. Of course there were no 'nasty' people a out then.

Hope Tony receives something in the Queens birthday honours.He truly deserves it !

Just agree with you all, I am sure he wouldn't want an award but he really deserves one. Very moving indeed.

So agree with ginnycomelately ( and rest of you) about awards too many lovvies and not enough to real heroes

Shed a few tears myself while watching on TV... had not seen anything about it before, what a lovely thing to do the BBC getting it right for once!

Every time I have watched this story, I've been in bits. It's such an emotional story. From Tony's misunderstanding of the waving from the cockpit and the sacrifice of the crew to save the children to Tony's life-long guilt, it is incredible. I wish Tony could live the rest of his life without the guilt but I guess it is such a big part of him now, it would be like losing a part of himself. Well done Tony. ??

I was fortunate enough to be tuned in when Dan first introduced this item. Have followed it with gusto ever since. Such a wonderful acccolade to a dedicated and grateful man. I was further thrilled that the weather was kind enough for the fly past to be seen in full glory and afford the many who turned out a degree of physical comfort. Little disappointed aver Dan's non-appearance as I think it was his simple interest and vigilance that set the whole occasion in motion. He was the missing piece imo. The older local hero coped beautifully with the emotional turmoil and took time out to compose himself when required. I must also give thanks to BBC for taking this simple and humble story on board when they usually devote themselves to current dramas mostly of a political nature. Very refreshing indeed.

In so agree with all the above , Tony is the unsung hero ,why do we give all the awards to the lovvies and not to the real heroes in our country !!!

Happened across this event at 8.15 this morning via Twitter so watched the live coverage at 8.45 am. So moving, so emotional, so encouraging that all ages and all nationalities could commemorate such an act of selflessness together. Tony should be acknowledged for his service to those who died that day in saving the lives of those children, who lived to say 'We must never forget' those who gave us our freedom. RIP Mi Amigo x

So sad that this man carried this unnecessary guilt with him all his life. In this day and age a child that experienced something like this would, hopefully, be given help.

Son told me about this today just watched it and cried.

We stood in one of our local parks this morning, with a couple of hundred other people, listening to the service on local radio and then, bang on time, right above our heads, the planes roared over. It was very emotional to see the F15 “missing man” formation, with one then peeling off to head heavenward while the others flew on. We both had tears streaming down our faces and we were not the only ones. I am so glad that this happened for Mi Amigo and for Tony.

I've been following this lovely story as well. Brought a lump to my throat, quite restores my faith in human nature. So many good things in one story.

I too saw this a couple of weeks ago when Dan first met Tony and pencilled it in my diary to watch today. It is such a lovely story and brings such joy over the normal news we have on our screens at the moment. Tony is a truly dedicated and caring man for everything he has done over all these years keeping this alive in his heart. Well done to Dan Walker and the BBC and all those involved in making this day truly memorable for Tony and of course the rest of us. A lovely, lovely story.

Heard this story yesterday and was moved to tears!

These young men were aged 21 to 26! Just so so young and so so brave fighting to beat racism.

Never forget.

Dan was in such a state watching it on TV that he said he doubted he could have handled it live.

I agree, petra I was so sorry that Dan was not here today. I have been following this story from day 1 and it is really very moving.

I was very moved too. I also shed a few tears when he was interviewed in the studio a few weeks ago. I bet someone will make a film about it.

Such a shame that Dan couldn't be there. After all, he was the one person who set the whole thing in motion.

I've just watched it on BBC news.
It certainly was very moving.

It was all completely wonderful and, as you said very moving