As the twilight of the D-Day generation approaches, the sun rose Thursday over the beaches of Normandy where soldiers fought and died exactly 80 years ago, to begin anniversary events in a context of a new war in Europe, in this occasion in Ukraine.
The dwindling number of World War II veterans making the pilgrimage back to France, as well as the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, which ended hopes that war would not again destroy cities and lives in Europe, added excitement to the anniversary of the Allied landings on June 6, 1944.
While centenary veterans reviewed the memories of old comrades buried in Normandy, the presence of the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at the events of remembrance along with other world leaders who support the Ukrainian fight against the Russian invasion – such as the president of the United States , Joe Biden—on Thursday will inevitably link the painful past of World War II with the current contest.
Dawn eight decades after Allied troops came ashore under enemy fire on five codenamed beaches—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword—began a day of remembrance for the allied countries that now stand together to Ukraine, and without France, the host, having invited Russia, another WWII ally. Paris attributed the lack of invitation to the “war of aggression against Ukraine that has intensified in recent weeks.”
French President Emmanuel Macron promised veterans on Thursday that “France will never forget” their battle to free Europe from the Nazis.
The dead and wounded on both sides in Ukraine are estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands, and tributes to the more than 4,400 Allied dead on D-Day and many tens of thousands more, including French civilians, in the ensuing Battle of Normandy, were mired in concerns that the lessons of World War II were being lost.
“There are things worth fighting for,” said World War II veteran Walter Stitt, who served in tank divisions and turns 100 in July, during a visit to Omaha Beach this week. “Though I wish there was another way to do it than trying to kill each other.”
“We’ll learn one of these days, but I won’t be here anymore,” he said.
Aware of the inevitability that the great anniversaries of the landings will soon be celebrated without veterans of World War II, large numbers of people in uniforms and vehicles of the period, as well as tourists interested in the spectacle, have filled Normandy for the 80th anniversary .
King Charles III and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were scheduled to take part in a ceremony later in honor of the British soldiers who made landfall there and at Sword Beach, while Prince William was to take part in a ceremony for Canadian troops. who landed on Juno Beach, along with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Biden would participate in a ceremony at the American cemetery, overlooking Omaha Beach.
Among those who traveled to Normandy were some of the millions of women who built bombers, tanks and other weaponry, and who played other vital roles in World War II, which for many years took a backseat to the combat exploits of the men.
“We didn’t do it for honors and awards. We did it to save our country. And we ended up saving the world,” said Anna Mae Krier, 98, who worked as a riveter to build B-17 and B-29 bombers.
Honored wherever they went, some with wheelchairs and canes, the veterans took the opportunity to reiterate a message that they hoped would be eternal: Never forget.
“To know the number of people who died here is astonishing,” said Allan Chatwin, 98, who served in the US Navy in the Pacific, during a visit to Omaha, the beach with the most Allied deaths from the landing.
He quickly added, “I don’t know if amazing is the word.”
Connect with the Voice of America! Subscribe to our YouTube channels, WhatsApp and the newsletter. Activate notifications and follow us on Facebook, x and Instagram.
