‘Isolation was not the answer 80 years ago, and is not the answer today,’ President Biden said.
OMAHA BEACH, France—President Joe Biden delivered remarks on June 6, commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day landings at Normandy American Cemetery.
“History tells us freedom is not free. If you want to know the price of freedom, come here to Normandy,” President Biden said during a three-hour ceremony honoring those killed in the Normandy invasion as well as living veterans.
“Democracy is never guaranteed. Every generation must preserve it, defend it, and fight for it. That’s the test of the ages,” President Biden said. “In memory of those who fought here, died here, and literally saved the world here, let us be worthy of their sacrifice.”
The president was accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron.
During his speech, President Biden underscored the value of strong alliances and partnerships, including NATO.
“Isolation was not the answer 80 years ago, and is not the answer today,” he said.
Following the ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery, the president is scheduled to attend an international ceremony joining nearly 15 world leaders, including Mr. Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
President Biden arrived in France on June 5, kicking off a five-day trip. Following the ceremonies in Normandy on June 6-7, the president will participate in a state visit hosted by Mr. Macron.
The president will give another speech on June 7 at Pointe du Hoc, France, underscoring the significance of safeguarding freedom and democracy. The president is expected to use the D-Day commemorations as an opportunity to target former President Donald Trump during a contentious election year.
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched a naval, air, and land assault on Nazi-occupied France during World War II. The massive operation marked the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany.
On the morning of D-Day, two naval task forces landed roughly 133,000 ground troops on five beaches, including more than 70,000 Americans who landed at Utah and Omaha beaches.
Two months after the D-Day operation, the Allied forces reached Paris and liberated the French capital from Nazi occupation. On May 7, 1945, Germany unconditionally surrendered in Reims, France.
Nearly 16.4 million Americans served in World War II but less than one percent (fewer than 100,000) are expected to be alive as of September 2024, according to data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
World War II Veterans
According to estimates, nearly 170 U.S. World War II veterans, ranging in age from 98 to 103, attended the ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery. Among them is WWII veteran Casimer “Casey” Bukowski, who recently turned 100.
Mr. Bukowski joined the U.S. Army Air Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was trained as a waist gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress, the most well-known American heavy bomber of WWII.
Mr. Bukowski was a member of the Eighth Air Force.
“Our crew was shot down over Germany on the 16th mission and only four of us survived,” he told The Epoch Times. “I spent 14 months in the German prison camp.”
Mr. Bukowski was forced to move from one prison camp to another, enduring a grueling 82-day forced march in the midst of one of the coldest winters in German history. The conditions were so severe that he dropped to less than 100 lbs. Mr. Bukowski was liberated by General Patton’s 3rd Army in April 1945.
This was his second visit to Normandy, but the first to commemorate D-Day.
“I’m excited and honored that I was asked to participate in the ceremony this year. I’m very very humbled and proud that I can still do it. I love it.”
Given the importance of the 80th anniversary this year, numerous companies and organizations participated in this year’s commemoration.
United Airlines participated in the event by flying four U.S. WWII veterans, including Mr. Bukowski, to France.
“They are the greatest generation and we’re honored to be able to at least contribute by flying four of these American heroes over to Europe,” Scott Seeberger, Airbus captain at United Airlines told The Epoch Times
“It’s going to be a great trip, a memorable trip for both the veterans and their families.”
