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Friday, Jun 19, 2026

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D-Day Veterans Honored on 80th Anniversary in Normandy

Surviving D-Day veterans, including Steve Melnikoff, have been celebrated in Normandy during the 80th anniversary of the historic invasion. Stone-clad villages are adorned with British, US, and Canadian flags as residents honor the 150,000 soldiers who landed on June 6, 1944. Leaders such as Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President Emmanuel Macron, President Joe Biden, and Prince William will attend the ceremonies, with President Volodymyr Zelensky invited, while Russia's Vladimir Putin is not. Residents and veterans, like 99-year-old Donald Cobb, share their emotional and humble recollections, emphasizing the importance of freedom.
Surviving D-Day veterans, including Steve Melnikoff, have been celebrated in Normandy during the 80th anniversary of the historic invasion.

Stone-clad villages along the Normandy coastline are adorned with British, US, and Canadian flags, and residents have donned World War II-era military uniforms to honor the 150,000 soldiers who landed on June 6, 1944.

At this year's official international D-Day ceremony, leaders including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, President Emmanuel Macron, President Joe Biden, and Prince William will stand together, while President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has also been invited.

Russia's Vladimir Putin has notably not been invited.

French President Macron's office emphasizes that the sacrifices of Soviet people during WWII will be remembered.

Residents, like Vanessa Foulon, emotionally express gratitude for the freedom gained through Allied efforts.

US veterans, such as 99-year-old Donald Cobb, recount their experiences with humility, while locals ensure younger generations understand the cost of liberation.

Additionally, the contribution of French Resistance members, exemplified by figures like Catherine Nivromont's brother Pierre, is also remembered, highlighting their significant yet often understated role in the war effort.
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