The Final Heroes of D-Day: Commemoration During Wartime

Celebrating 80 years of... - Commemorating the Final Valiant Warriors of D-Day

At several celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy, US President Joe Biden and other world leaders thanked the remaining soldiers who survived D-Day. Simultaneously, they emphasized the importance of safeguarding democracy. "We're aware of the dark forces these heroes battled against 80 years ago," Biden stated at a ceremony held at the US Military Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

Democracy and liberty are in peril now, Biden cautioned. He referred to the ongoing war in Europe: Russia's assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was present at the Normandy D-Day celebration. Many elderly veterans attended as well.

June 6, 1944, witnessed the Allied troops landing on the shores of Normandy. This marked the start of the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi control ("Operation Overlord"). It also symbolizes a brutal bloodbath, with tens of thousands of casualties. The majority of Allied forces comprised Americans, Brits, Canadians, Poles, and French. Over 3100 landing craft carrying more than 150,000 soldiers set off for northern France.

By the end of D-Day, the Allies suffered around 12,000 casualties, including around 4400 killed. Estimates suggest the German casualties ranged from 4000 to 9000. The death count during Operation Overlord is estimated at up to 200,000 Germans and 70,000 Allies before capturing Paris a few months later. In the ravaged Normandy, approximately 20,000 civilians lost their lives.

The survivors of that time

With few survivors of the operation remaining, the number of individuals present during their honouring. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron hosted about 170 veterans at the event in Colleville-sur-Mer. Most veterans were seniors in wheelchairs or walking with assistance. Some saluted, waved, lifted their hats for a greeting, and many displayed emotional reactions amidst the grand festival. Tens of thousands of visitors came to the cemetery grounds, paying tribute to these men—and a few women—with applause and prolonged applause.

Veteran Procession

The roughly 170 veterans were brought to the stage one by one at the ceremony, accompanied by relatives and healthcare providers. Wheelchairs were used by most veterans, while others walked with crutches or strollers. A few gave salutes, waved, raised their caps for a greeting, and others showed emotional reactions when confronted with the grand event. Tens of thousands of visitors gathered at the cemetery grounds and honoured these individuals with applause and sustained applause.

Eighty years ago, these soldiers were young men who risked their lives for a previously unheard-of military operation with an uncertain outcome. They witnessed their comrades drown before reaching the shore or gunfire on land tear them apart. The sea of 9388 white crosses in the US cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer representing American soldier graves tells the brutal tales of what transpired here and the countless lives lost without reaching their goal.

Biden: We must continue to defend democracy

"The men who fought here became heroes," said Biden. These soldiers were aware of the significant threat of death, yet they still fought. "Freedom is worth it, democracy is worth it," he emphasized. "Their legacy lives on, not just for them, but for all of us."

Biden expressed concern about the state of democracy, claiming it was more threatened than it had ever been since the Allied landing in Normandy. He lamented the persistence of aggression and greed, the desire to dominate and control, and the violent redrawing of borders, symbolized by Russia's conflict with Ukraine. This requires everyone to determine whether they would stand up against tyranny and evil and defend freedom and democracy collectively. "My response is yes, and it's the only possible answer," Biden contended. Every generation must defend democracy and fight for it. This doesn't occur independently, but with the support of allies, as before.

Ceremony with Macron and Biden

Macron acknowledged the bravery of those soldiers in the past. These veterans had left everything behind and taken tremendous risks - "for our independence, for our freedom," said the French president. "We will never forget this." France is now their home. Macron bestowed the title of Knight of the Legion of Honor upon several elderly US veterans for their service on D-Day.

Ceremony with King Charles III

King Charles III commemorated the efforts of the Allied soldiers at a memorial service in French Ver-sur-Mer. "Many of them never made it home," he stated. "They lost their lives on the beaches of D-Day and in the numerous battles that ensued." The lesson learned from this period is: "Free nations must unite to resist tyranny."

A ceremony without Russia

At a large international memorial event at the nearby Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer beach—the renowned Omaha Beach—world leaders and heads of government commemorated D-Day and recognized the soldiers of that time. In addition to Macron and Biden, Trudeau and Scholz were present, as well as representatives of the British and Dutch royal families. No representative from Russia was invited due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At the Omaha Beach ceremony, attention was centered on the D-Day veterans while the European war hung in the air. Multiple figures of authority greeted veterans, shook their hands. An intriguing moment involved an older veteran in a wheelchair and Selenskyj: The elderly man drew Selenskyj's hand to himself and kissed it. "You're the savior of the people," he said. Somewhat embarrassed, Selenskyj removed his hand, then stooped down, gave the veteran a warm hug and replied, "No, you've saved Europe."