Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth joined French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu in a poignant commemoration ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. The ceremony, held on June 6th, served as a solemn tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Allied forces.

On that fateful day in 1944, over 150,000 Allied soldiers launched a daring assault across the beaches of Normandy, commencing Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of continental Europe. This pivotal moment marked a turning point in World War II, ultimately contributing to the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany.

During his address, Secretary Hegseth offered a powerful reflection on the courage of those who fought: “To walk, or run if you can, carrying equipment over that open beach as shells and bullets thunder around you again and again, I cannot imagine. Could you do that? Could I? Could we?” His words painted a vivid picture of the unimaginable challenges faced by the soldiers on D-Day.

The ceremony served as a stark reminder of the immense cost of freedom and the enduring legacy of those who fought for the liberation of Europe.