Veterans and dignitaries gathered on the beaches of Normandy to commemorate the 81st anniversary of the D-Day landings, a crucial event in World War II that contributed to the downfall of Adolf Hitler's regime. The ceremonies took place on June 6, 2025, at the Normandy American Cemetery, which overlooks Omaha Beach, one of the primary invasion sites.

Among the attendees was Calvin Shiner, a 102-year-old veteran who served in an all-Black construction unit during the war. He was joined by other World War II veterans, many of whom are now in their late 90s. The event drew tens of thousands of spectators, all there to honor the sacrifices made by the Allied forces and to remember the thousands who lost their lives during the invasion.

The D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, involved the largest armada of ships, troops, planes, and vehicles ever assembled. On that day alone, 4,414 Allied troops were killed. The subsequent Battle of Normandy resulted in the deaths of 73,000 Allied forces and left 153,000 wounded. The civilian toll was also significant, with around 20,000 French civilians killed due to the conflict. German casualties are estimated to be between 4,000 and 9,000.

Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds, deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa, spoke at the event, stating, "The heroism, honor and sacrifice of the Allied forces on D-Day will always resonate with the U.S. Armed Forces and our Allies and partners across Europe. Let us remember those who flew and fell. Let us honor those who survived and came home to build a better world."

On the same day, the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia, hosted its own commemoration ceremony. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and other military officials attended the event, which featured interactions with World War II veterans. Angela Hatcher Lynch, director of communications for the National D-Day Foundation, expressed hope that attendees would connect personally with the veterans, saying, "I really hope that in addition to hearing their stories... they just have an opportunity to shake a hand, hear a story personally, to really reflect on what those men and women sacrificed."

The ceremony in Bedford also honored the late Staff Sergeant Bob Slaughter, a founder of the National D-Day Memorial. Congressman Morgan Griffith recognized Slaughter's contributions on the House floor, highlighting his efforts to establish the memorial and his memoir, "Omaha Beach and Beyond."

Both events served as poignant reminders of the bravery and sacrifices made during one of history's most significant military operations.