The Allied invasion, which began on June 6, 1944, led to the defeat of the Nazis and the end of World War II.
Moving letters from veterans were read out as ceremonies took place in Normandy on Thursday to mark the 80th anniversary of the June 6, 1944 D-Day landings, when more than 150,000 Allied soldiers invaded France by sea and air to drive out the forces of Nazi Germany.
At the British ceremony in Ver-sur-Mer, veterans were applauded as they filed into the event to take their seats, which were decorated with bright red poppies.
“I want to pay my respects to those who didn’t make it. May they rest in peace,” veteran Joe Mines said, in words read by actor Martin Freeman. “I was 19 when I landed, but I was still a boy … and I didn’t have any idea of war and killing.”
“I tried to forget D-Day, but I can’t,” Royal Navy veteran Ron Hendrey said in words read by actor Douglas Booth. “I’ve lived 80 years since that day, my friends have remained under the earth.”
Both veterans were present at the ceremony.
With war raging in Ukraine on Europe’s borders, this year’s commemoration of this turning point in World War II carries special resonance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Normandy on Thursday for the anniversary.
“This event and day serve as a reminder of the courage and determination demonstrated in the pursuit of freedom and democracy. Allies defended Europe’s freedom then, and Ukrainians do so now. Unity prevailed then, and true unity can prevail today,” he said in a post on X, announcing his arrival.
But Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022, touching off Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II, was not invited.
The anniversary takes place in a year of many elections, including for the European Parliament this week and in the US in November.
