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At the commemoration, President Joe Biden praised the bravery of Normandy invasion veterans and vowed to “not bow down to bullies.”
The US president, speaking to a crowd in Versurmer, France, on the 80th anniversary of the US invasion of Ukraine, promised that the 50 countries that stand with Ukraine “will not walk away”.
“Dictators around the world are watching closely to see what happens in Ukraine – to see whether they will allow this illegal aggression to go unchecked,” he said.
“Giving in to a bully or bowing down to a dictator is completely unthinkable.”
He added: “History teaches us that freedom isn’t free. If anyone wants to know the price of freedom, come to Normandy and find out.”
This came after King Charles delivered a moving speech praising a “remarkable war generation” and the unwavering courage of veterans of the Normandy landings.
“We remember them, and all those who served at that crucial time, with deep gratitude,” the Queen said.
The King said it was a “great honour” to be able to take part in the event, and added that sadly the numbers of Normandy landing veterans are “getting fewer and fewer”. Many veterans were moved to tears by the King’s powerful words.
What D-Day events will occur today?
- The King, Queen and Chancellor Rishi Sunak will attend Britain’s national commemorations at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer.
- Prince Charles is due to attend the Canada Remembrance Day ceremony at Juno Beach Centre in Cusco-le-Mer.
- Prince Charles will attend an official international ceremony at Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, along with more than 25 heads of state and military veterans from around the world.
- The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will attend the British Legion Remembrance Service at the National Memorial Arboretum.
- A convoy of 80 ships paraded in Falmouth. In 1944, about 27,000 American soldiers departed from the Falmouth area for Normandy as part of the Normandy landings.
- The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will attend “D-Day 80: Commemorating the Normandy Landings” at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Maryam Zakir HussainJune 6, 2024 08:28
Voice: Let’s remember D-Day not just today but every day so our children don’t forget.
As world leaders commemorate 80 years since the Allied war veterans in Normandy liberated Europe, past bravery meets present virtue — but it’s clear that the dark forces that engulfed much of the continent in the 1930s are still very much alive, writes historian Anthony Seldon.
Remember D-Day not just today but every day so your children don’t forget.
As world leaders commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Allied war veterans at Normandy and the liberation of Europe, past bravery meets present virtue — but it’s clear that the dark forces that engulfed much of the continent in the 1930s are still very much alive, writes historian Anthony Seldon.
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 14:46
Watch live: French President Macron leads ceremonies marking 80 years since the Normandy landings
As commemorations continue in Normandy, watch as French President Macron leads live ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 14:19
Joe and Jill Biden walk alongside Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 14:14
Full story: Biden links Ukraine defense to heroism of Normandy landings, warns ‘dark forces’ aren’t gone: ‘We’re not going away’
Marking exactly 80 years since British, US and Canadian soldiers landed in France and began the fight to liberate Europe from Hitler, President Joe Biden told world leaders and veterans that their fight against Nazism is mirrored today by the fight being waged by Ukrainian forces and their allies against Russian aggression.
Biden, who visited France on Tuesday on the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Europe, known as Operation Overlord, told the assembled veterans that several of those on stage with him contributed to the Allied victory that day and that it was the “highest honor” to salute them.
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 14:04
Biden meets with Normandy invasion veterans in Normandy
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 14:02
WATCH: President Biden marks 80th anniversary of Normandy landings, warns: ‘The world will not bow to bullies’
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 13:50
Biden says NATO “will not walk away or bow down to bullies”
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Thursday, during a speech marking the anniversary of the Normandy landings in Normandy, France, that the United States and NATO will not run away from the Ukraine crisis.
Biden said Ukraine, which is at war with Russia, was being invaded by “tyrants intent on dominating” and that democracy was more endangered than at any time since World War Two.
“Make no mistake: we will not give in. We cannot give in to tyrants. It is completely unthinkable. If we did, freedom would be suppressed and the whole of Europe would be threatened,” he said in Colleville-sur-Mer.
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 13:26
Speaking to attendees at the commemoration in Normandy, Biden paid tribute to the “heroic” veterans of D-Day.
He said, “On behalf of the American people, it is my greatest honor to salute you again at Normandy. God loves you all.”
He went on to quote former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, saying, “He called what happened here ‘the largest and most complex operation in history.’ After years of planning, Operation Overlord was ready to be carried out just when the weather turned.”
“Men, guns, planes and ships waited. Finally, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s forecast predicted clearing weather on June 6, and he ordered the Allied forces to attack at dawn.”
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 13:17
US President Joe Biden began his speech in Normandy on the day of the Normandy landings with the following words: “That moment was nearly here: Monday, June 5, 1944. The evil Third Reich had destroyed the world. With violence, lies and twisted ideology, Nazi Germany had conquered the once-free nations of Europe.”
“Millions of Jews were caught up in the Holocaust. Millions of others were killed by bombs, bullets and bloody wars. Hitler and his cronies thought that democracy was weak and that the future belonged to dictators.”
Athena StavrouJune 6, 2024 13:13