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Normandy, France – Veterans, onlookers, and officials gathered in Normandy on Friday to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings. The pivotal WWII operation ultimately led to the downfall of the Nazi regime.
Tens of thousands lined the Normandy coast and beaches to witness parachute jumps, flyovers, remembrance services, parades, and historical reenactments. A central focus of the day was honoring the dwindling number of D-Day veterans still alive.
Among them was 101-year-old American veteran Harold Terens, who returned to Normandy a year after marrying his 96-year-old sweetheart near the very beaches where he served. Reflecting on his service and the ongoing conflicts around the world, Terens stated, “Freedom is everything.
I pray for freedom for the whole world. For the war to end in Ukraine, and Russia, and Sudan and Gaza.
I think war is disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.”
Terens, a radio repair technician for a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron, played a vital role on D-Day, ensuring that planes returning from combat were swiftly repaired and ready to rejoin the fight.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth joined veterans at the American Cemetery overlooking the beaches of Colleville-sur-Mer to pay tribute to the American soldiers who played a crucial role in the landings. French Minister for the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu acknowledged France’s enduring gratitude to its American allies, stating, “We don’t forget that our oldest allies were there in this grave moment of our history. I say it with deep respect in front of you, veterans, who incarnate this unique friendship between our two countries.”
Hegseth emphasized the continued importance of the Franco-American alliance in facing modern threats, asserting that both nations must remain prepared for war to deter it and preserve peace.
The D-Day invasion, launched on June 6, 1944, involved the largest armada in history. While 4,414 Allied troops were lost on D-Day itself, the ensuing Battle of Normandy resulted in 73,000 Allied and an estimated 4,000-9,000 German casualties.
The battle also tragically claimed the lives of approximately 20,000 French civilians. Nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed on D-Day, with 73,000 from the US and 83,000 from Britain and Canada.
Operation Overlord, the broader campaign to liberate western France, involved over two million personnel from a dozen countries.