First
lady Melania Trump, President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron
and Brigitte Macron, watch a flyover during a ceremony to commemorate the 75th
anniversary of D-Day at the American Normandy cemetery, Thursday, June 6, 2019,
in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
President Donald Trump gave praise to U.S. war veterans
in a speech to mark the 75th D-Day anniversary while in Europe with French
President Emmanuel Macron .
U.S. World War II veteran Jacques Michienzi, center, stands up among other veterans during a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, Thursday, June 6, 2019. World leaders are gathered Thursday in France to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings. (AP Photo/David Vincent)
President Trump an President Macron embraced warmly as they arrived at a U.S.
war cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, where 2,500 American troops were killed
by German gunners and artillery on June 6, 1944, the first day of the Allied
effort to drive the Nazis out of France.
President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron greet veterans as they arrive to a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day at The Normandy American Cemetery, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“The abundance of courage came from an abundance of
faith,” Trump said. “They came here and saved freedom, and then they went home
and showed us all what freedom is about.”
President
Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, talk to a World War II veteran
during a ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the American
Normandy cemetery, Thursday, June 6, 2019, in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy,
France. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“More powerful than the strength of American arms was the
strength of American hearts. These men ran through the fires of hell, moved by
a force no weapon could destroy: the fierce patriotism of a free, proud and
sovereign people,” he added.
Trump recognized several surviving veterans by name,
including former Army medic Arnold Raymond “Ray” Lambert and Private Russell
Pickett, 94, a teenager on D-Day when, tasked with operating a flame-thrower,
he was wounded twice. As the frail Pickett struggled to his feet amid applause,
Macron walked over and lent the veteran support.
“CHERISHED ALLIANCE”
Macron peppered his remarks with praise for
America’s leading role in liberating western Europe from Nazi Germany.
“America, dear President Trump, is never greater than
when fighting for others’ freedom,” he said, turning to Trump. “When free
peoples unite, they can meet all the challenges.”
A President Trump remembered America’s fallen war heroes, he told
European allies they were bound by unbreakable ties.
“To all our friends and partners, our cherished alliance
was forged in the heat of battle, tested in the trials of war and proven in the
blessings of peace. Our bond is unbreakable,” he said.
Story
based on reporting by Richard Lough in Paris and Steve Holland in Colleville-sur-Mer;
Additional reporting by Michel Rose, Editing by William Maclean
