World leaders and veterans commemorate D-Day

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Leaders across the world are commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

That invasion was a significant turning point in World War II and led to the allied victory over Nazi forces.

President Biden joined dozens of World War II veterans on the beaches where it all happened for a special ceremony to honor the bravery of their actions decades ago.

“All served with honor when America and the world needed them most,” said Biden.

Both the president and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin gave special recognition to the still surviving veterans who were able to attend.

While honoring the past, President Biden also drew parallels to the present.

“We’re living in a time when democracy is more at risk across the world than any point since the end of World War II,” Biden said.

He compared the fight to free Europe from Nazi control to Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia and promised to continue supporting Ukraine.

To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators, is simply unthinkable “If we were to do that, it means we’d be forgetting what happened here on these hallowed beaches,” said Biden.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy was also in Normandy and is expected to sit down with President Biden for a meeting in Paris Friday.

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