President Donald Trump traveled to Normandy on Thursday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and pay tribute to American and allied forces who led the invasion of Nazi-occupied France that was the turning point in World War II.
Addressing the over 60 veterans in attendance who fought in the battle, President Trump said: “You are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live. You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
The president and first lady Melania Trump were joined at the commemoration by French President Emanuel Macron and his wife at the American Cemetery in Normandy, where 9,380 American service members lay in final rest. Marcon offered his country’s heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices of allied partners in liberating France, telling the audience, “France has not forgotten those fighters to whom we owe the right to live in freedom.”
Following the ceremony, there was a 21-gun salute from the beach as the two couples walked down to an overlook of Omaha Beach. They observed a moment of silence looking out over the water before the taps was played, and then a show of French and American military jets flew overhead — with the final set of jets leaving red, white and blue streaks in the sky.
