US veterans get heroes' welcome in France ahead of D-Day anniversary

World

Published On: Mon, 03 Jun 2024 17:08:10 PKT

DEAUVILLE/PARIS (Reuters) - Crowds cheered and applauded as U.S. veterans arrived at French airports ahead of ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when more than 150,000 Allied soldiers landed in Normandy to drive out Nazi Germany forces.

Many of those flying in over the weekend into Monday were older than 100, pushed on wheelchairs by relatives and aides.

"It's unreal. It's unreal. Wow," 107-year-old Reynolds Tomter said at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle airport as students waved U.S. and French flags and held up photos of the veterans.

"It feels great ... and I'm so thankful that I got the opportunity to be back out here, my son with me," said 101-year-old Bill Wall, as his son, Ray, pushed him through arrivals.

"I lost some great friends. All of these people who are out there on their crosses and unmarked graves are the true heroes. It gives me a chance to pay tribute to them which they so need. It will bring back some memories of some great people," he added.

After shaking hands with students, 95-year-old Dave Yoho said: "My heart is full. My heart is full."

In Deauville, Normandy, a specially chartered flight landed on Monday.

Across Normandy, where beaches and fields still bear the scars of the fighting that erupted on June 6, 1944 and the weeks that followed, preparations were in full gear for official ceremonies.
World leaders from US President Joe Biden to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will attend.

Already, at the weekend, in Vierville-sur-Mer, a town just above Omaha Beach - one of the sectors where US soldiers landed - a re-enactment camp was set up, giving visitors a chance to see what equipment the soldiers were using.

People took rides in World War Two jeeps and armoured vehicles.
"It's always very intense when we meet veterans, because they always have many stories to tell, and you still feel the emotion," said Julie Boisard, who lives in Normandy and took part in the re-enactment.