U.S President, Joe Biden, has compared the ongoing situation in Ukraine with June 6, 1944 D-Day landings.
Speaking at the US ceremony in Normandy, Biden said that the dark forces which the Allies fought 80 years ago have not faded.
He stated that the struggle between dictatorships and freedom is unending.
According to Biden, Ukraine remains as a stark example and it has been invaded by a tyrant but the Ukrainians are not backing down.
“We will not walk away,” Biden noted.
Additionally, Biden averred that D-Day proved that democracy is stronger than any army in the world, adding that they proved the unbreakable unity of the allies.
“What the allies did 80 years ago, far surpasses anything we could have done on our own,” he said as he reminded those present of the value of working together.
There was a round of applause as he mentioned the NATO alliance.
Biden calls for world to stand together to defend freedom and democracy in memory of those who sacrificed lives on D-Day
Also, the U.S President declared that to “bow down to dictators is simply unthinkable.”
He added, “To do that would be forgetting what happened on these hallowed beaches. We will not forget.”
“History tells us freedom is not free. If you want to know the price of freedom, come to Normandy and look. Go to the other cemeteries in Europe where our fallen heroes rest. Go back home to Arlington. Remember the price of unchecked tyranny is the blood of the young and the brave. In their generation, in their hour of trial, the Allied forces at D-Day did their duty. Now the question for us is: in our hour of trial, will we do ours?
“We have to ask ourselves, will we stand against evil, against crushing brutality. Will we stand for freedom, will we defend democracy? Will we stand together? My answer is yes and only can be yes.”
Joe Biden
Moreover, Biden voiced that it is the highest honour to be able to salute the veterans of D-Day in Normandy.
He praised the bravery of the forces who were aware their odds of survival were low.
Biden noted that walking the rows of the Normandy American Cemetery reminded him of the story of America.
“Different races, different faiths, but all Americans who all served with honour when America and the world needed them the most,” he averred.
“From coast to coast, Americans found countless ways to pitch in,” he added.
“The men who fought here became heroes, not because they were the strongest or toughest or fiercest – although they were – but because they were given an audacious mission, knowing the probability of dying was real. But they did it anyway.
“They knew beyond any doubt that there are things worth fighting and dying for: freedom is worth it, democracy is worth it, America is worth it, the world is worth it. Then, now and always.”
Joe Biden
D-day 80th Anniversary Coin Commissioned
The White House announced that U.S President, Joe Biden commissioned a challenge coin in honour of the 80th anniversary of D-day.
The coin features an image of troops approaching the beaches of Normandy and B-17 aircraft flying overhead and the number 9388 etched in the sand, which represents the number of Americans who remain in Normandy to this day and lie at rest in the cemetery.
It also features the presidential seal adorned with a blue star and a gold star.
It also has a quotation, which reads, “They also serve who only stand and wait.”
The White House said the line from Milton often used by Biden is to “encapsulate the service and sacrifices of military families.”
Biden presented the coins to the second world war veterans he met prior to the start of the ceremony, all of whom are D-day survivors.
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