On June 6, 2024, we had the honor of commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Part of the D-Day to the Rhine Tour of Europe with Stephen Ambrose Tours, it was incredibly moving to be at the anniversary of such a difficult part of our collective history. And being at the 80th anniversary made it even more special.
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched a massive amphibious invasion of Nazi-occupied France during World War II. This operation, codenamed Operation Overlord, involved over 156,000 troops landing on five beaches in Normandy, marking the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control and a turning point in the war.
Visiting the Landing Beaches & Memorials
There are lots of Normandy WW2 sites to visit, so we spent 5 days in the area seeing everything. We visited Omaha, Utah, Sword, Gold and Juno beaches, where soldiers landed and attempted to make progress up this difficult coastline. We visited Pegasus Bridge, Longues-sur-Mer Battery, and Purple Heart Lane. There is also Sainte-Mère-Église, the church where many paratroopers landed, tasked with liberating the strategic location of the town.
There are so many things to do on a trip to Normandy, and these memorial sites are an important part of the legacy of the area.
Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
“You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
~ General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Commemorating D-Day in Normandy : Order of Events
We attended the 80th anniversary service at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, alongside veterans, dignitaries, and 10,000 others. The ceremony was set up in the middle of the cemetery where we were surrounded by 9,387 white crosses.
On most days of the year, the graves of our service members are roped off and not available to the public. A policy that I do not personally agree with. However, on this special day, the ropes were removed and we were allowed to visit the graves and pay respect before and after the ceremony. Walking through the massive cemetery was just as moving as the ceremony itself.
Arrival Of The Official Party
As everyone took their seats, huge screens of the actual ceremony were visible to everyone. They showed us the arrivals of all the World War II veterans, and the dignitaries who came soon after. They included the American President Biden, the French President Macron, and many others from both countries. A few delivered powerful and moving speeches, before the national anthems began.
National Anthems Of The French Republic And Of The United States Of America
Instrumentals of both countries’ national anthems were played after the speeches, first the French one and then the American one. Speaker messages reminded the audience of when to stand and when to sit respectfully.
Invocation
This was a series of prayers and poems, spoken mainly by U.S. military people. These, too, were impactful to everyone, and stayed with us long after we left. Reading the messages or hearing them later would not have been nearly as meaningful as listening to them being spoken while seated among the crosses.
Address And Presentation Of The Légion d’Honneur
After the invocation, President Macron gave the Légion d’Honneur. Created by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, it is the highest French order of merit. It was presented to a select few veterans, who accepted it gratefully. The president was very respectful and appreciative to them, as we all were.
Salute To World War II Veterans
Memorial songs, such as “Taps,” were played live as military people on site saluted the veterans, and those buried in the cemetery. Every year there are fewer veterans in attendance. I am very happy we were able to attend while we still have WWII veterans living and able to attend. Their presence made the event much more special.
Address
Both presidents delivered speeches, and there were captions on the screens to translate President Biden’s English and President Macron’s French. This was our first time hearing the French president speak. He was very eloquent, and his message was very meaningful to the veterans present and those in the cemetery.
Departure Of The Official Party
The ceremony came to a close with a flyover consisting of four military planes. The level at which the planes flew over the cemetery could literally be felt, not just heard. We were left with chills and on this hot summer day in June. Many tears were shed among the crowd. Afterwards, the veterans and dignitaries left, and the audience was called to their buses in groups.
Practicalities
With large ceremonies like this, the logistics are often difficult and waiting time is long. On arrival, the check in process was quite smooth and moved at a steady pace. However, our wait time for departure was long (around 4 hours waiting for traffic to move so our bus could pick us up). If you attend the anniversary day, please be aware of the crowds and ensure the elderly and those with health conditions have portable seating or wheelchairs. We were very grateful that some members of our group had snacks with them as we were all starving by the time the bus returned to us.
We made the most of our time waiting around, and the meaning of the ceremony was well worth the wait. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and a small price to pay our respects.
We enjoy combining history with our travels around the world. Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours does an excellent job of these types of trips and takes care of every detail from beginning to end. We are happy to help you find the perfect history tour for you.
Commemorating D-Day in Normandy
Overall, the ceremony was an incredible event that we will never forget. Everyone was blessed for the opportunity to be there. Being in the presence of all those veterans, and walking on the cemetery’s hallowed ground, was awe-inspiring. If you pay your respects and appreciate their sacrifices, you will have an unforgettable day at this D-Day anniversary ceremony.
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