A “humbled” US President Barack Obama yesterday led an emotional tribute to the thousands of troops who gave their lives to liberate Europe from Nazism, on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings that “shaped the security and well-being of all posterity.”
Speaking at Omaha Beach in front of veterans resplendent in military uniforms complete with medals glittering in the sun, Obama said that their sacrifice and bravery had breached “Hitler’s Wall” and secured today’s era of democracy and freedom.
“By the end of that longest day, this beach had been fought, lost, refought and won — a piece of Europe once again liberated and free. Hitler’s Wall was breached, letting loose Patton’s army to pour into France,” a visibly moved Obama said in a speech interrupted by a lengthy standing ovation.
Photo: EPA
“Gentlemen, we are truly humbled by your presence today,” he told the veterans, many of whom were using wheelchairs and, well into their 80s, were likely marking the anniversary of that historic day for the last time.
“Omaha — Normandy — this was democracy’s beachhead. And our victory in that war decided not just a century, but shaped the security and well-being of all posterity,” he said.
After his speech, Obama warmly embraced a stooped veteran before bowing his head alongside French President Francois Hollande at a wreath commemorating the thousands that fell on June 6, 1944.
The two leaders then stood, hands on heart, with saluting veterans standing to attention behind them as a lone bugler sounded out and jets roared a fly-past through a gloriously blue sky.
For his part, Hollande said France would “never forget what it owes the United States.”
“This day, which began in chaos and fire, would end in blood and tears, tears and pain, tears and joy at the end of 24 hours that changed the world and forever marked Normandy,” he said as he opened the ceremonies.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II led a service at Bayeux cemetery, where nearly 5,000 Commonwealth troops are buried.
About 20 heads of states, royals and prime ministers were to mingle with veterans throughout the day at ceremonies on the beaches of northern France, where the biggest amphibious assault in history was launched in 1944.
Dignitaries — including the queen, who at the age of 88 is making a now rare foreign trip, and sparring world leaders Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin — gathered for lunch at a grand chateau before heading to the beaches for a solemn international ceremony.
The leaders gathered for an awkward group photo before lunch, with Obama and Putin seeming to avoid catching each other’s eye.
The gastro-diplomacy that erupted late on Thursday continued as the leaders feasted on a meal prepared by four Michelin-starred chefs.
Obama and Putin were set to dine just a few places away from each other, with Hollande, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Margrethe of Denmark, according to the official table plan.
The shuttle diplomacy appeared to have had some impact, as a potentially significant 15-minute meeting took place between Putin and Ukrainian president-elect Petro Poroshenko ahead of the lunch, also attended by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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