By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
NORMANDY (Worthy News) – World leaders gathered Thursday in Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of the bloody D-Day landings that helped to end World War Two, realizing that Europe faces once again death and destruction in Ukraine.
U.S. President Joe Biden made a passionate call for the defense of freedom and democracy at the 80th anniversary of D-Day, urging Western powers not to surrender to what he views as Russian tyranny in Ukraine.
At a joint ceremony with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. veterans at the Normandy American Cemetery, Biden said it was “simply unthinkable” to surrender to Russian aggression, and he promised no letup in support for Ukraine.
He spoke near the white crosses of the former temporary battlefield cemetery of Saint Laurent, where the human remains of 9,388 Americans gave their lives while entering continental Europe through the sea.
French President Emmanuel Macron thanked Ukraine’s leader and Ukrainians for their courage in their fight against Russian forces, saying: “We are here and won’t back away.”
Macron’s speech, addressing veterans and world leaders assembled on Omaha Beach, referenced the current war in Ukraine as well as what happened on June 6, 1944.
“Faced with the return of the war on our continent, faced with all they (the WWII veterans) fought for being challenged, faced with those who pretend to use force to change the borders, to rewrite history, let’s be worthy of those who landed here,” Macron said.
PRESIDENT UKRAINE
Addressing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he added: “Your presence here, today, Mister President of Ukraine, says it all.”
Thanking Ukrainians for their bravery and “sense of freedom,” Macron added: “We are here and won’t back away.”
It comes as Zelenskyy has expressed concerns that a lack of Western weapons and men will make it difficult to push back Russia’s troops. He was to have talks with Biden to discuss his nation’s war challenges.
Biden agrees with Zekenskyy that Western and NATO military alliance allies should “recapture the spirit of D-Day” and work together, arguing that democracy is under more significant threat than at any time since World War Two.”Isolationism was not the answer 80 years ago and is not the answer today,” Biden said in his speech.
On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied soldiers invaded France by sea and air to drive out the forces of Nazi Germany.
Yet despite all the sadness, there was some hope with a 100-year-old US Air Force veteran marrying his 96-year-old fiancée in France. “I love this girl; she is very special,” said war veteran Harold Terens, who had a passionate relationship with Jeanne Swerlin since 2021. “He’s a great guy,” said Swerlin in turn. “And he’s the best kisser.”
Shortly after the historic celebration of D-Day, the lovebirds tied the knot.
Copyright 1999-2024 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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