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On D-Day Anniversary, Austin, Milley Call on All to Defend Democracy

The men who stormed Normandy 79 years ago saved democracy "and it is all of our duty to defend with undimmed vigor the principles for which the Allies fought," Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said today.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks.
Austin Remarks
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks at an event commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, June 6, 2023.
Credit: Chad J. McNeeley, DOD
VIRIN: 230606-D-TT977-0345A

Austin and Army Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke at the service at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France. More than 9,000 service members are buried at the cemetery located just above Omaha Beach. 

The secretary and general spoke directly to some of the veterans who stormed the beach on June 6, 1944 — now in their late 90s or over 100 years old. "To the veterans of World War II: We salute you," Austin said. "You saved the world. We must merely defend it."  

A man in a suit shakes hands with a seated World War II veteran at a D-Day ceremony.
Greeting Veterans
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets World War II veterans attending events commemorating the 79th anniversary of Operation Overloard and the invasion of Normandy during World War II, June 6, 2023.
Credit: Chad J. McNeeley, DOD
VIRIN: 230606-D-TT977-0246Y

The invasion was the greatest military operation of World War II landing 150,000 men from the United States, Britain, Canada, Australia, France and other nations on the shores of Normandy.  

There were more than 6,000 ships in the armada with more than 14,000 aircraft providing cover that fateful day. They came to set free a suffering humanity from the oppression and brutality of Adolf Hitler.  

"It's easy to forget how desperate the battle was, how loud the clash was, how many things could have gone wrong, and how many things did go wrong, Austin said. "But, on D-Day, courage won out over terror, daring over cruelty, and liberty won out over tyranny." 

Two men in wheelchairs are escorted on a red carpet through a line of clapping service members.
Red Carpet Treatment
World War II veterans Wilbur Myers and Alan Dunn are welcomed by soldiers assigned to the 4th Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division as they arrive for the D-Day 79 commemoration ceremonies in Normandy, France, June 1, 2023.
Credit: Army Spc. Joshua Zayas
VIRIN: 230601-A-SF775-654A

Normandy was the demonstration of the strength of a free people, the secretary said. "Free soldiers will fight more bravely than the armies of tyrants," he said.  

"The men who landed here on D-Day did just that. And they wrote themselves into the pages of history as a grand refutation of Hitler's bile. D-Day reminds us that there is no force multiplier stronger than a just cause." 

Democracy is still a just cause, and it is still worth defending, Austin said. "We still seek a world where aggression is a sin, where human rights are sacred, where those who preach hatred, tyranny and genocide are cast out," he said. "We seek a world where civilians are safe from the ravages of war. Where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected. And we seek a world where all states and all peoples can pursue their own destinies in freedom." 

A group of World War II veterans and others, some seated, others standing, salute and pay respects during a ceremony.
Cabbage Patch Ceremony
U.S. and allied forces, World War II veterans and guests participate in the Cabbage Patch Memorial Ceremony in Carentan, France, June 2, 2023. The Cabbage Patch Square is where 79 years ago, U.S. paratroopers began the bloody, close combat battle to liberate the city of Carentan.
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley
VIRIN: 230602-A-GG328-922F

The men and women who served and sacrificed during World War II laid the foundation for the open world of rules and rights enjoyed today, the secretary said. "Today's rules-based international order is the legacy of those who won the bloodiest war in history," he said. 

Milley pointed to the graves in the cemetery. "These Americans and so many others sacrificed and gave their lives in the crucible of combat," he said. "Thousands of miles from their birthplaces, they gave their lives so that others they didn't even know would remain free. They gave their lives for us, so that you and I would live free. Peace and freedom are never guaranteed. They must be guarded and cherished and sometimes fought for and paid in blood." 

Democracy still requires work and determination and effort, Austin said. "For most of us, the demands of democratic citizenship are far less stern than they were in 1944, but we must meet today's challenges with our full strength — soldier and civilian alike," he said. "If the troops of the world's democracies could risk their lives for freedom, then, surely the citizens of the world's democracies can risk our comfort for freedom now." 

Soldiers salute while standing at attention.
Anthem Salute
Army 1st Sgt. Christopher Kenney salutes during the national anthems played at a D-Day 79 ceremony in Picauville, France, June 1, 2023.
Credit: Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex
VIRIN: 230601-F-SV792-1099A

The secretary spoke directly to the Russian assault on democracy in Ukraine. "On a recent trip to a U.S. training post in a free Germany, I met brave young men and women from Ukraine who were learning how to fight for their lives and for their country, and, today, I am more determined than ever to stand by them for as long as it takes," he said.  

Democracy is under attack, and there are those who see the rule of strongmen as the future. They see democracies as weak and divided, the secretary said. 

"They are wrong," he stated. "And every D-Day, citizen by citizen, we remember that we each have the ability — and the responsibility — to fight for the principles that drove the Allied armies forward."  

A veteran wearing white gloves gives a thumbs up sign.
Thumbs Up!
U.S. and allied forces, World War II veterans and guests participate in the Cabbage Patch Memorial Ceremony in Carentan, France, June 2, 2023. Cabbage Patch Square is where U.S. paratroopers began the bloody battle to liberate the city of Carentan 79 years ago.
Credit: Army Staff Sgt. Malcolm Cohens-Ashley
VIRIN: 230602-A-GG328-690

Milley reiterated the secretary's point. "Now it is up to us, the living to ensure that these exceptional men ... who fell on the sands did not die in vain," he said. "Each of us has a duty, a duty to carry forward this experiment in democracy." 

Austin quoted from Army Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's message to the troops. "The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you." Eisenhower was the commander of the D-Day invasion, dubbed Operation Overlord.  

Austin said the eyes of the world still shine in admiration on the heroes of D-Day. But the eyes of the world "are upon us, as well, and we will not let the torch of freedom go out," he said. 

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