World Leaders, Veterans in France for 70th Anniversary of D-Day
World leaders have gathered in France to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that led to the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, reports VOA.
Hundreds of veterans are taking part in the ceremony in Normandy, where Allied troops landed on the beach in what was the largest sea assault in history.
Some veterans, including American Jim Martin of the 101st airborne, marked the occasion by holding a reenactment parachute jump on Thursday.
“Was it different?” a reporter asked him after making the jump.
“Oh yes, nobody shooting at me. It’s much nicer,” he replied.
Other veterans, most of whom now are in their 90s, observed the anniversary in a more relaxed manner, watching the sun rise at the beach Friday.
About 160,000 Allied troops parachuted or waded onto the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. About 4,500 died by the end of the day.
President Barack Obama is among the dignitaries who will speak at a ceremony in Normandy Friday.
