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Photos: World War II veterans commemorate D-Day in France

D-Day veterans, including Richard Llewellyn and Mervyn Kersh from Britain and Norman Duncan from the US, attend a ceremony near Omaha Beach on June 4.
D-Day veterans, including Richard Llewellyn and Mervyn Kersh from Britain and Norman Duncan from the US, attend a ceremony near Omaha Beach on June 4.
Image: Reuters/Christian Hartmann
By
Johnny Simon
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Veterans from several countries were honored today (June 6) near the beaches of Normandy, France for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the massive Allied land invasion that turned the tide of World War II in Europe and led to the downfall of Hitler’s Third Reich. US president Donald Trump was joined by French president Emmanuel Macron, German chancellor Angela Merkel, British prime minister Theresa May, as well as Queen Elizabeth and several other world leaders.

“We know what we owe to you, our veterans: our freedom. On behalf of my country, I want to say ‘thank you,'” Reuters reported Macron saying to a group of US veterans.

Each year’s commemoration of D-Day grows more poignant, as fewer and fewer of those who served on the pivotal day remain alive. As of 2018, less than 500,000 of the 16 million American veterans who served in World War II were living; according to statistics from the US Department of Veteran Affairs,  384 American World War II vets die every day.

Photos from this week showcase the many ways this generation is still being honored, as well as how they remember their service: from a series of commemorative marches and memorials to a parachute jump out of an airplane.

A spectator shakes the hand of a British veteran who is part of a procession leaving the Bayeux Cathedral after a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Bayeux, Normandy, on June 6.
A spectator shakes the hand of a British veteran who is part of a procession leaving the Bayeux Cathedral after a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Bayeux, Normandy, on June 6.
Image: AP Photo/Francisco Seco
US World War II paratrooper veteran Tom Rice, 97, who served with the 101st Airbone, participates in a commemorative parachute jump over Carentan on the Normandy coast ahead of the 75th D-Day anniversary on June 5.
US World War II paratrooper veteran Tom Rice, 97, who served with the 101st Airbone, participates in a commemorative parachute jump over Carentan on the Normandy coast ahead of the 75th D-Day anniversary on June 5.
Image: REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
A World War II veteran talks to a soldier at the end of a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux, Normandy, on June 6.
A World War II veteran talks to a soldier at the end of a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Bayeux War Cemetery in Bayeux, Normandy, on June 6.
Image: AP Photo/Francisco Seco
Paratroopers participate in a commemorative jump over Sannverville in Normandy on June 5.
Paratroopers participate in a commemorative jump over Sannverville in Normandy on June 5.
Image: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
World War II veterans are greeted by a crowd at the 3rd Infantry Division Old Hickory memorial ceremony ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day landings in Mortain, France, on June 2.
World War II veterans are greeted by a crowd at the 3rd Infantry Division Old Hickory memorial ceremony ahead of the 75th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day landings in Mortain, France, on June 2.
Image: US Army/Sgt. Dommnique Washington/Handout via REUTERS
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau meets with veterans in Normandy on June 6.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau meets with veterans in Normandy on June 6.
Image: GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP/Getty Images
American D-Day veteran George Shenkle talks with students from France after a ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, situated above Omaha Beach, as France prepares to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on June 4.
American D-Day veteran George Shenkle talks with students from France after a ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, situated above Omaha Beach, as France prepares to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, on June 4.
Image: Reuters/Christian Hartmann
Normandy veterans lay wreaths during the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on June 6 in Bayeux, France.
Normandy veterans lay wreaths during the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery on June 6 in Bayeux, France.
Image: Neil Hall/Pool/Getty Images
American and French flags are seen in the cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy on June 6.
American and French flags are seen in the cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy on June 6.
Image: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump sit next to World War II veterans during a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6.
US president Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump sit next to World War II veterans during a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day on June 6.
Image: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Veterans arrive for a commemoration event on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6, in Arromanches Les Bains, France.
Veterans arrive for a commemoration event on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6, in Arromanches Les Bains, France.
Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Canadian veterans stand for the National Anthem during the international ceremony on Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, on June 6.
Canadian veterans stand for the National Anthem during the international ceremony on Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, on June 6.
Image: GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP/Getty Images
A Canadian veteran collects sand from Juno beach on June 6.
A Canadian veteran collects sand from Juno beach on June 6.
Image: GUILLAUME SOUVANT/AFP/Getty Images