Honoring the Heroes of Normandy: A Solemn Tribute at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer
Overlooking Omaha Beach on the northern coast of France, the American Cemetery spans 70 hectares in Colleville-sur-Mer. This historic site hosted a significant tribute on Thursday, June 6, commemorating the Allied soldiers who landed in Normandy 80 years ago. The solemn event was attended by numerous foreign leaders, with U.S. President Joe Biden as the guest of honor.
The white crosses on the lawn, facing west towards the United States, mark the final resting places of 9,387 American soldiers who lost their lives in France during Operation Overlord, a pivotal campaign that led to the liberation of France and Europe from Nazi control.
The chapel, memorial, and Garden of the Missing welcomed esteemed guests such as Denmark’s King Frederik X, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, filmmaker Steven Spielberg, and actor Tom Hanks. The ceremony began shortly after 1 PM local time (8 AM in Brasília) with a video depicting the immense challenges faced during the D-Day landings amid intense German gunfire.
Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron, alongside Joe and Jill Biden, were greeted with applause. Following this, the national anthems of France and the United States were played, marking the start of the speeches that honored the courage of soldiers who paid the ultimate price for freedom.
“The most formidable weapon has always been and will always be a free people willing to fight for their freedom,” stated the master of ceremonies before the speeches commenced.
France Honors American Veterans
French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed attendees to “one of the most poignant places in France, where the heroism of those who died for freedom resonates deeply.” “This is a hallowed ground that preserves the memory of D-Day and symbolizes the enduring bond between France and the United States,” he added.
Macron shared the names and stories of 11 veterans present at the ceremony. “In the summer of 1944, you were young, with families and many dreams, but you left everything to land on the shores of France, risking your lives for our independence and freedom. We will never forget your sacrifice,” said Macron. “The free world depended on each of you, and you rose to the challenge,” the French president continued.
During the event, veterans were honored: “For your bravery, I am honored to bestow upon you the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honor,” France’s highest decoration, established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, Macron declared, highlighting one of the ceremony’s most moving moments.
Joe Biden personally greeted each veteran, some of whom, despite being over 100 years old, stood to receive their medals. Turning to contemporary issues, the U.S. President emphasized that NATO remains more united than ever, committed to protecting peace and freedom globally. “We Americans will never forget. We invested in Europe’s reconstruction, and today we see the strength of NATO,” he remarked, noting “an alliance that continues to grow with the addition of Sweden and Finland and stands ready,” according to Biden.
“Isolationism is not the answer; it wasn’t 80 years ago, and it won’t be in the future,” Biden asserted, warning that “aggression, envy, and the desire to dominate by force” persist as threats, and “the battle against dictators is ongoing,” he said.
Biden referenced the invasion of Ukraine “by a tyrant,” commending “the resilience of Ukrainians in their struggle.” He noted the “serious repercussions of Russian aggression,” reaffirming that “more than 50 countries support Ukraine,” a nation that will not be forsaken. “There is an ongoing illegal aggression that we cannot accept. Ignoring Ukraine would be like forgetting what happened here 80 years ago,” Biden concluded. For him, “democracy is under threat, and the situation has never been as dire since 1944.”
The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute and a flyover of American military aircraft over the historic landing beaches.
