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After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, World War II veterans gather again -accompanied by their families- in Normandy. This year they resume the traditional commemoration of that decisive feat in the liberation of Europe from the Nazi occupation.
Veterans, their families, French and foreign visitors braved the rainy weather to participate in a series of events this weekend and Monday for the 78th anniversary of June 6, 1944, when the Normandy landings began. Also known as D-Day.
This celebration takes place after two years of the pandemic and once again brings together veterans who are almost 100 years old.
“The first thing we remember is the poor guys who didn’t come back. We were lucky, I mean, it’s a long time now, almost 80 years ago, we’re still living. I mean, I’m 97 now,” said Peter Smoothy, a British veteran who served in the British Royal Navy and landed on the beaches of Normandy.
British World War II Veterans honor the nearly 160,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and other nations who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944.
On that day alone, 4,414 Allied soldiers lost their lives, 2,501 of them Americans. More than 5,000 were injured. On the German side, several thousand were killed or wounded.
During the celebrations, visitors also pay tribute to those who brought peace and freedom to the Old Continent. The feelings between veterans and attendees are divided, on the one hand embraced by the courage of the heroes of that time and on the other the sadness for those who did not survive.
The most enthusiastic showed up dressed in war uniforms, moving in jeeps and military vehicles through the small roads of Normandy.
A commemoration in the middle of another war
On this occasion, the atmosphere of the festivities meets a new historical moment, since the war has hit Europe again since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Veterans pondered this issue.
“Why can’t we learn from past experiences? Why can’t we do that? What’s happening to us? You know, crazy. So yes, war should teach us something, but it never seems to penetrate for very long,” pondered British veteran Mary Scoot.
with AP
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