For military communities around the world, the beginning of June traditionally marks the beginning of commemorations celebrating June 6, 1944, when Allied troops executed the largest joint amphibious invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France, and the largest Airborne invasion by troops from the United States, Britain, and Canada. It is a time for ceremonies to remember the hundreds of thousands who perished in that invasion, paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives, which allowed the pivotal turning point in the war against the Axis powers.
Ceremonies began in Picauville, Chef du Pont, and St. Mere-Elise, France, some of the first towns to be liberated by the Allied troops. The ceremonies were all attended by French dignitaries and embassy attaches, troops from the 82nd Airborne Division from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, WWII veterans, and ceremonial music provided by the US Army Europe Band.
Significant speeches from US military leaders included Colonel Jack Aalborg, USAF attache to the American embassy in Paris, Colonel Brian May, 403rd Operations Commander, and Brigadier General Matthew McFarlane of the 82nd Airborne Division. A common theme included the continued threat of terror, each speech remembering the victims of the recent terror attacks in Manchester, England, and Kabul, Afghanistan.
Ceremonies will continue throughout the week commemorating the 73rd anniversary of D-Day. To learn more about the history of D-Day, you can visit www.army.mil/d-day/.