<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jun/06/d-day-anniversary-biden>
"Joe Biden has marked the 80th anniversary of the D-day landings in Normandy
with an impassioned call to western allies to continue supporting Ukraine in
the face of the “unending struggle between dictatorship and freedom”.
Speaking on Thursday at a ceremony at the Normandy American cemetery attended
by his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, and dozens of surviving veterans
from the second world war, Biden drew parallels between the Allied troops who
fought to free Europe and the alliance of nations that came together to defend
Ukraine against Russian aggression.
The president warned that democracy was under great threat than at any time
since the end of second world war. Describing Vladimir Putin as a “tyrant bent
on domination”, Biden said the Russian leader and “the autocrats of the world
are watching closely to see what happens in Ukraine, to see if we let this
illegal aggression go unchecked.
“To surrender to bullies, to bow to dictators, is simply unthinkable,” Biden
said. “If we do, Ukraine will be subjugated and it will not end there,
Ukraine’s neighbours will be threatened, all of Europe will be threatened.”
Biden honoured the American second world war veterans who, alongside allied
soldiers, stormed the beaches of Normandy to drive out the forces of Nazi
Germany.
“We know the dark forces that these heroes fought against 80 years ago. They
never fade,” he said.
This D-day milestone carried particular significance as it was likely the last
major ceremony attended by significant numbers of veterans, many of whom are
aged 100 or more.
“On behalf of the American people and as commander-in-chief, it’s the highest
honour to be able to salute you here in Normandy,” Biden told them.
Biden and the first lady, Jill Biden, greeted the veterans one by one and
thanked them for their service. During the ceremony, Macron bestowed the Legion
of Honour, France’s highest award of merit, to 11 American veterans and one
from Britain in recognition of their sacrifice. The ceremony was attended by
more than 150 members of Congress and dozens of members of the French
parliament."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
