An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Normandy Welcomes World War II Heroes

World War II veterans met with cheers and applause from throngs of well-wishers as they arrived in Normandy, France, for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. 

A veteran being pushed in a wheelchair shakes the hand of a child from dozens of people on the sidelines.
Hero's Handshake
A French child greets Richard Stewart, a World War II veteran, during a welcome event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Deauville-Normandie airport in Deauville, France, June 3, 2024. Stewart landed on Omaha Beach in July 1944 and continued to serve in France, Belgium and Germany to provide area communications support for various Army Air Forces commands until the end of the war.
Credit: Army Pfc. Isaiah Mount
VIRIN: 240603-A-ND131-8446M
A soldier standing outdoors speaks with a veteran sitting with others.
General Greeting
Army Gen. Darryl Williams, right, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, greets World War II veteran Paul Priest, upon the arrival of veterans in Normandy, France, June 3, 2024, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Williams served with Headquarters Company, 52nd Infantry Division, 9th Armored Division during the war.
Credit: Army Pfc. Isaiah Mount
VIRIN: 240603-A-ND131-8299
U.S. service members assigned to commands historically linked to D-Day are in Normandy too, slated to participate in more than 100 events marking the milestone anniversary of June 6, 1944, when allied forces launched the largest air, land and sea military invasion in history. 

A crowd gathers at a monument on a beach where U.S. and French flags fly at half staff.
Half-Staff Honors
U.S. soldiers participate in a ceremony at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, June 2, 2024, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Keith Thornburgh
VIRIN: 240602-A-FU327-1012
Airmen descend after jumping from a plane over a body of water.
Normandy Jump
Special Tactics airmen assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron jump out of a MC-130J Commando II over Normandy, France, June 2, 2024, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Credit: Air Force Senior Airman Jessica Sanchez-Chen
VIRIN: 240602-F-HH678-1183
Soldiers stand with flags on the beach below the historic abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.
Paratroopers and Colors Guard
U.S. paratroopers and color guard members assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division prepare for a ceremony outside of Mont-Saint-Michel, France, June 2, 2024, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Credit: Army Pfc. Prim Williams
VIRIN: 240602-A-YW435-4776
American and allied nation leaders and dignitaries are expected at many of the commemorative events, to both highlight the strength of the United States' commitment to European security and pay tribute to the heroes who fought for the triumph of liberty over tyranny in World War II. 

{{slideNumber}}/{{numSlides}} - {{slideCaption}}
Credit: {{photographer}}
VIRIN: {{virin}}
{{slideNumber}} of {{numSlides}}

{{slideNumber}}/{{numSlides}} {{slideTitle}} - {{slideCaption}}

{{slideInfo.slideNumber}}/{{numSlides}} {{slideInfo.slideTitle}} - {{slideInfo.slideCaption}}

The number of these heroes at D-Day anniversary events in Normandy each year is diminishing, but the gratitude and awe for their service and sacrifice endures. 

A wreath stands in a cemetery full of identical white crosses marking gravesites.
Honoring Predecessors
A wreath from the U.S. Army's 29th Infantry Division stands at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 2, 2024. Division soldiers visited the cemetery to honor soldiers in the unit who paid the ultimate sacrifice at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
Credit: Matt Lyman, Virginia National Guard
VIRIN: 240602-O-NQ873-9070
A soldier, a civilian and a child, all shown from behind, stand at a concrete memorial on a beach, with wreaths at their feet.
National Guard Monument
Army Maj. Gen. Joseph DiNonno, commanding general of the 29th Infantry Division, and Antoine de Bellaigue, mayor of Vierville-sur-Mer, France, place a wreath during a D-Day remembrance ceremony at the National Guard Monument at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, June 2, 2024.
Credit: Matt Lyman, Virginia National Guard
VIRIN: 240602-O-NQ873-6502

Related Stories