79th Anniversary of D-Day: Significance Missed by Many in 2023

It is the remarks, by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, at the American War Cemetery in France at Omaha Beach, to American World War II veterans who had traveled to Normandy for the commemorations, which is significant today: 

“We seek a world where civilians are safe from the ravages of war. Where sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected...The veterans of World War II, we salute you...You saved the world. We must merely defend it."

'The Torch of Freedom': Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Commemorating 79 Years Since D-Day > U.S. Department of Defense > Speech

The “Veterans History Project Collection | Library of Congress (loc.gov)”  provides insight into the veterans who were there, some who have since passed away. By narrowing your search to 1944 – Paris – you can select interviews by those who might include their experiences at the Battle of Normandy.

D-Day was the code name for the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944, the largest seaborne assault in history.

We Keep the Faith: A Memorial to the 743rd Tank Battalion

Learn About D-Day, The Memorial, and Bedford - National D-Day Memorial (dday.org)

Facts and Statistics about the Normandy Invasion | Britannica

VFW Press Release: “WASHINGTON — Today, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) pauses to remember the more than 156,000 brave Allied troops who landed by air and by sea targeting the 50-mile stretch of Normandy’s beaches to liberate German-occupied France and bring an end to the Nazi regime.

June 6, 1944, forever changed the course of history. With over 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and more than 150,000 servicemen, the Allied forces’ airborne and amphibious invasion of Europe was, and remains, the largest air, land and sea operation ever undertaken...”

A festival of freedom exists on the five D-Day Landing Beaches and in Sainte-Mère-Église, Bayeux and Arromanches-les-Bains (Gold Beach sector). While it may be too late to participate in this year’s May 27th – June 18th events; it may be worth setting aside resources now to in consideration of attending the 80th anniversary event next year.

The parade of military vehicles scheduled for Wednesday 7 June in Port-en-Bessin as part of the festivities for the 79th anniversary of D-Day is cancelled. It will not be rescheduled to a later date.

D-Day Festival Normandy (@dday_festival_normandy) • Instagram photos and videos 

No mention has been made by head of state, at this time, for the City of Los Angeles, State of California, or U.S. President in memory or commemoration of the significance of the battle, of D-Day.  “The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” ― Abraham Lincoln November 1863 on the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg  

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