COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France — President Donald Trump and other world leaders are in Normandy to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
>> Watch Trump’s D-Day speech here
Here are the latest updates:
Update 7:30 a.m. EDT June 6: Trump and first lady Melania Trump joined French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, to watch a flyover of military aircraft to conclude the ceremony at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer.
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, French President Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron observe a flyover of French and American aircraft to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. https://t.co/oa6Kpx8xL6 pic.twitter.com/3bYQcqGdOx
— New Day (@NewDay) June 6, 2019
The couples also walked through the cemetery and paid tribute to the fallen.
Presidents Trump and Macron and the First Ladies walk among the gravestones, and pause for silent reflection. Mrs Trump places a bouquet of flowers at one headstone. pic.twitter.com/5pGCJa8DcC
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 6, 2019
Presidents Trump and Macron could be seen engaging in several minutes of animated conversation, but it ended friendly, with Macron placing his hand on Trump's shoulder, and @POTUS offering a thumbs up. pic.twitter.com/zPBj3Pnrr9
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 6, 2019
Update 7 a.m. EDT June 6: Trump thanked D-Day veterans in his speech Thursday morning.
“Veterans of the Second World War who join us today, you are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live,” he said before the crowd gathered at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. “You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our republic, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
He then praised soldiers from other Allied nations before telling the stories of American veterans Ray Lambert and Russell Pickett, who were at the ceremony.
President Trump honors D-Day veteran during speech and gives him an embrace.
— New Day (@NewDay) June 6, 2019
"Tough guy," Trump said after returning to the podium. https://t.co/oa6Kpx8xL6 pic.twitter.com/iqfGnFBsfg
“Those who fought here won a future for our nation,” Trump said. “They won the survival of our civilization. And they showed us the way to love, cherish and defend our way of life for many centuries to come.”
"Our cherished alliance was forged in the heat of battle, tested in the trials of war and proven in the blessings of peace," President Trump says at the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
— New Day (@NewDay) June 6, 2019
"Our bond is unbreakable.” https://t.co/oa6Kpx8xL6 pic.twitter.com/H84RKLthOi
Update 6:15 a.m. EDT June 6: French President Emmanuel Macron presented five D-Day veterans from the U.S. with the Legion of Honor. The medal is considered France's highest honor.
French Pres. Emmanuel Macron awards veterans with Legion of Honor at event commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day. https://t.co/dOybkyPAr6 pic.twitter.com/1yVYv6sC80
— ABC News (@ABC) June 6, 2019
Update 6 a.m. EDT June 6: French President Emmanuel Macron began the ceremony at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer by thanking the soldiers who took part in the D-Day landings.
“We know what we owe to you, veterans: our freedom,” Macron said in English. “On behalf our our nation, I just want to say thank you.”
French Pres. Emmanuel Macron at D-Day 75th anniversary event: "We know what we owe to you veterans: our freedom. On behalf of my nation, I just want to say thank you." https://t.co/dOybkyPAr6 pic.twitter.com/muNdBSYq6o
— ABC News (@ABC) June 6, 2019
Original report: Trump, who landed in Caen, France, around 10:30 a.m. local time Thursday, is scheduled to speak at a commemorative ceremony at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, the Guardian reported.
Pres and Mrs Trump arrive in France. Transferring from Air Force One to Marine One at Caen-Carpiquet Airport, for flight to Normandy American Cemetery LZ for start of 75th D-Day Anniversary ceremonies. pic.twitter.com/9jeqk82Pdo
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 6, 2019
