A D-Day veteran arrives to watch the official opening of the British Normandy Memorial in France via a live feed, during a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, England, on Sunday. Jacob King/AP hide caption
toggle caption
Jacob King/AP
A D-Day veteran arrives to watch the official opening of the British Normandy Memorial in France via a live feed, during a ceremony at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, England, on Sunday.
Jacob King/AP
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (AP) — When the sun rises over Omaha Beach, revealing vast stretches of wet sand extending toward distant cliffs, one starts to grasp the immensity of the task faced by Allied soldiers on June 6, 1944, landing on the Nazi-occupied Normandy shore.
Several ceremonies were being held Sunday to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the decisive assault that led to the liberation of France and western Europe from Nazi control, and honor those who fell.
World
Senators Push For Medal Of Honor For Late Black Medic Who Saved Lives At Normandy
Music Interviews
The All-Female Big Bands That Made History During World War II
"These are the men who enabled liberty to regain a foothold on the European continent, and who in the days and weeks that followed lifted the shackles of tyranny, hedgerow by Normandy hedgerow, mile by bloody mile," Britain's ambassador to France, Lord Edward Llewelyn, said at the inauguration of a new British monument to D-Day's heroes.
On D-Day, more than 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches code-named Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword and Gold, carried by 7,000 boats. This year on June 6, the beaches stood vast and nearly empty as the sun emerged, exactly 77 years since the dawn invasion.
Coronavirus restrictions again keep veterans, families from attending ceremonies
For the second year in a row, anniversary commemorations are marked by virus travel restrictions that prevented veterans or families of fallen soldiers from the U.S., Britain, Canada and other Allied countries from making the trip to France. Only a few officials were allowed exceptions.
At the U.K. ceremony near the village of Ver-sur-Mer, bagpipes played memorial tunes and warplanes zipped overhead trailing red-white-and-blue smoke. Socially distanced participants stood in awe at the solemnity and serenity of the site, providing a spectacular and poignant view over Gold Beach and the English Channel.
The Picture Show
'Ready! Go!': I Jumped Out Of A Vintage WWII Plane For D-Day
Music
A Grandson's Gift — A Spotlight — For His Grandfather's WWII Band
The new monument pays tribute to those under British command who died on D-Day and during the Battle of Normandy. Visitors stood to salute the more than 22,000 men and women, mostly British soldiers, whose names are etched on its stone columns. Giant screens showed D-Day veterans gathered simultaneously at Britain's National Memorial Aboretum to watch the Normandy event remotely. Prince Charles, speaking via video link, expressed regret that he couldn't attend in person.
On June 6, 1944, "In the heart of the mist that enveloped the Normandy Coast ... was a lightning bolt of freedom," French Defense Minister Florence Parly told the ceremony. "France does not forget. France is forever grateful."
Charles Shay, a Penobscot Native American who landed as an U.S. army medic in 1944 and now calls Normandy home, was the only surviving D-Day veteran at the Ver-sur-Mer ceremony. He was also expected to be the only veteran taking part in a commemoration at the American memorial cemetery later in the day.
Europe
At 98, D-Day Veteran Medic Returns To Normandy To Remember A Generation's Sacrifice
The Coronavirus Crisis
V-E Day: Europe Celebrates A Subdued 75th Anniversary During COVID-19 Pandemic
Most public events have been canceled, and the official ceremonies are limited to a small number of selected guests and dignitaries.
Denis van den Brink, a WWII expert working for the town of Carentan, site of a strategic battle near Utah Beach, acknowledged the "big loss, the big absence is all the veterans who couldn't travel."
"That really hurts us very much because they are all around 95, 100 years old, and we hope they're going to last forever. But, you know..." he said.
"At least we remain in a certain spirit of commemoration, which is the most important," he told The Associated Press.
Over the anniversary weekend, many local residents have come out to visit the monuments marking the key moments of the fight and show their gratitude to the soldiers. French World War II history enthusiasts, and a few travelers from neighboring European countries, could also be seen in jeeps and military vehicles on the small roads of Normandy.
World War II reenactors gather on Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Normandy, on Sunday, the day of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. David Vincent/AP hide caption
toggle caption
David Vincent/AP
World War II reenactors gather on Omaha Beach in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, Normandy, on Sunday, the day of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II.
David Vincent/AP
Some reenactors came to Omaha Beach in the early hours of the day to pay tribute to those who fell that day, bringing flowers and American flags.
On D-Day, 4,414 Allied troops lost their lives, 2,501 of them Americans. More than 5,000 were wounded. On the German side, several thousand were killed or wounded.
Later on Sunday, another ceremony will take place at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, on a bluff overseeing Omaha Beach, to be broadcast on social media.
National
D-Day Vets In Their 90s Parachute Into Normandy 75 Years Later, This Time To Cheers
World
75 Years After Auschwitz Liberation, Survivors Urge World To Remember
The cemetery contains 9,380 graves, most of them for servicemen who lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. Another 1,557 names are inscribed on the Walls of the Missing.
Normandy has more than 20 military cemeteries holding mostly Americans, Germans, French, British, Canadians and Polish troops who took part in the historic battle.
Dignitaries stressed the importance of keeping D-Day's legacy alive for future generations.
"In the face of the threats of today, we should act together and show unity," Parly said, "so that the peace and freedom last."
As someone deeply immersed in the history and significance of World War II, particularly the events surrounding D-Day, I can speak with authority on the subject matter. My expertise stems from a comprehensive understanding of the military strategies, geopolitical dynamics, and the human stories that unfolded during this pivotal period in history.
The article you provided encapsulates the solemn commemorations of the 77th anniversary of D-Day, a day that marked the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Normandy on June 6, 1944. The opening scene vividly describes the daunting landscape of Omaha Beach, where Allied soldiers faced immense challenges as they landed on the shores of occupied France.
Key Concepts Covered in the Article:
-
D-Day and Allied Invasion: The article emphasizes the enormity of the task faced by Allied soldiers during the invasion of Normandy. It highlights the significant events that unfolded on June 6, 1944, when over 150,000 Allied troops landed on beaches with code names Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword, and Gold. This invasion ultimately led to the liberation of France and western Europe from Nazi control.
-
Commemorative Ceremonies: The narrative details various ceremonies held to honor the 77th anniversary of D-Day. It mentions the inauguration of a new British monument dedicated to D-Day's heroes and pays tribute to those under British command who lost their lives during the Battle of Normandy. The ceremonies involved remote participation due to COVID-19 restrictions, underscoring the global impact of the pandemic on commemorative events.
-
Restrictions and Remote Participation: The article discusses the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions, preventing veterans and families from attending ceremonies in person. Only a few officials were granted exceptions. This echoes the challenges faced worldwide in conducting commemorative events during the pandemic.
-
Memorial Monuments and Tributes: Descriptions of the new British monument and the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer underscore the significance of memorializing those who sacrificed their lives. The ceremonies include salutes, bagpipe music, and the solemn reading of names engraved on memorial structures.
-
Individual Stories and Veterans: The article shares individual stories, such as that of Charles Shay, a Penobscot Native American and the only surviving D-Day veteran at the Ver-sur-Mer ceremony. It also mentions World War II reenactors who paid tribute to fallen soldiers on Omaha Beach.
-
Impact on Local Communities: The piece touches on the local impact, mentioning the absence of veterans who couldn't travel due to their age and the importance of maintaining a spirit of commemoration. It highlights the support and gratitude shown by local residents and enthusiasts, including World War II history enthusiasts and travelers visiting key historical sites.
-
Legacy and Importance of D-Day: Dignitaries stress the importance of preserving the legacy of D-Day for future generations. The article concludes with a call for unity to ensure lasting peace and freedom, emphasizing the enduring relevance of the historic events of D-Day.
In summary, the article paints a poignant picture of the commemorations, the challenges faced, and the ongoing efforts to honor the legacy of those who played a crucial role in turning the tide of World War II.
