80 years of D-Day in Normandy
Biden sees democracy “more at risk than ever”
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In their speeches commemorating the Allied landings in Normandy 80 years ago, the heads of state agreed: Biden, Macron and Trudeau appealed for the preservation of democracy, a strengthened Europe and the responsibility of future generations.
At a commemoration of the Allied landings in Normandy 80 years ago, US President Joe Biden called for the defense of democracy. “We know the dark forces that these heroes fought against 80 years ago. They never go away,” he said at a ceremony at an American military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer in northern France. “We live in a time in which democracy worldwide is more at risk than ever since the end of the Second World War,” he warned. “Every generation must preserve it, defend it and fight for it.” The US President complained that aggressiveness and greed, the desire to dominate and control and to push boundaries by force – all of this still exists today. “The fight between dictatorship and freedom does not end. Here in Europe we see a blatant example,” said Biden, referring to Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. He assured that they would continue to stand by Ukraine.
Biden also recalled the efforts of the D-Day fighters back then and warned: “In memory of those who fought here, died here, literally saved the world here: let us be worthy of their sacrifice.” People today must also ask themselves whether they will defend themselves against tyranny and evil and defend freedom and democracy together. “My answer is yes – and it can only be yes.” Biden also emphasized the importance of alliances. “What the Allies did here 80 years ago went far beyond what we could have done alone.” Biden said: “This was a powerful illustration of how alliances, real alliances, make us stronger.” He hopes that America will never forget this.
Thanks to veterans
French President Emmanuel Macron also thanked the soldiers deployed at the time. “They left everything and took all the risks for our independence, for our freedom. We will not forget that,” he said. “The free world needed every one of you, and you came,” the president said. “You fought this war alongside us and we won it.” Macron honored eleven very old US veterans as Knights of the Legion of Honor for their service at the time. Whenever possible, the men sitting in wheelchairs stood up to accept the high award. “You came here, so you are home forever, on the soil of France, and we do not forget,” Macron said. President Biden also shook hands with veterans.
The British King Charles III. and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first commemorated the dead in their respective countries in national ceremonies in the morning. “It is our duty to remind future generations of the principles for which we fought: freedom, democracy and justice,” said Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau. “Democracy is still threatened today – by attackers who want to redraw borders,” he said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was not invited because of the war of aggression in Ukraine.
Scholz calls for more defense
Shortly before the celebrations for the Allied landing in Normandy, Chancellor Olaf Scholz also called for increased European defense efforts. “It is clear to me: Europe will take on even more responsibility in the future,” the Chancellor wrote in a guest article for the French newspaper “Ouest-France” on Thursday. An economically, militarily and socially strong Europe is necessary to maintain peace, he said, alluding to Russia. “Working for this Europe is the legacy of June 6, 1944,” he added, referring to the so-called D-Day. It is clear to Germany and its partners that “brutal Russian imperialism” must not succeed. “And he will not succeed because we will continue to support Ukraine in its heroic defensive struggle for as long as it is necessary.”
80 years ago, on June 6, 1944, the Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy. D-Day marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi rule (“Operation Overlord”). At that time, the Allied forces mainly included Americans, British, Canadians, Poles and French.
