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Obama speaks at US war cemetery on D-day landings anniversary Obama speaks at US war cemetery on D-day landings anniversary
(about 2 hours later)
The storming of the Normandy beaches by Allied troops 70 years ago turned the tide "in that common struggle for freedom" President Barack Obama said in an address to veterans and dignitaries on the climactic day of D-day commemorations in northern France. The storming of the Normandy beaches by Allied troops 70 years ago turned the tide "in that common struggle for freedom", President Obama said in an address to veterans and dignitaries during the D-day commemorations in northern France.
"America's claim – our commitment to liberty, to equality, to freedom, to the inherent dignity of every human being – that claim is written in blood on these beaches, and it will endure for eternity," Obama said in remarks prepared for delivery over the sacred site he called democracy's beachhead. "America's claim – our commitment to liberty, to equality, to freedom, to the inherent dignity of every human being – that claim is written in blood on these beaches, and it will endure for eternity," he said in remarks prepared for delivery over the site he called democracy's beachhead.
Obama spoke from the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, where nearly 10,000 white marble tombstones sit on a bluff overlooking the site of 6 June 1444, battle's most violent fighting at Omaha beach. He described D-day's violent scene in vivid terms, recalling that "by daybreak, blood soaked the water" and "thousands of rounds bit into flesh and sand". Obama spoke from the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, where nearly 10,000 white marble tombstones sit on a bluff overlooking the site of the most violent fighting at Omaha beach on 6 June 1944. He described D-day in vivid terms, recalling that "by daybreak, blood soaked the water" and "thousands of rounds bit into flesh and sand".
"We come to remember why America and our allies gave so much for the survival of liberty at its moment of maximum peril," Obama said. "And we come to tell the story of the men and women who did it, so that it remains seared into the memory of the future world.""We come to remember why America and our allies gave so much for the survival of liberty at its moment of maximum peril," Obama said. "And we come to tell the story of the men and women who did it, so that it remains seared into the memory of the future world."
The anniversary commemoration was a gathering point for world figures embroiled in a geopolitical crisis, with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, attending events along with leaders who are standing against his aggressive moves into Ukraine. All eyes promised to be on Putin and Obama, who were expected to have some interaction during a lunch for world leaders at the Chateau de Benouville. The anniversary commemoration was a gathering point for world figures embroiled in a geopolitical crisis, with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, attending events alongside leaders who are standing against his aggressive moves into Ukraine. All eyes promised to be on Putin and Obama, who were expected to have some interaction during a lunch for world leaders at the Chateau de Benouville.
Obama's speech at the morning ceremony came after he met privately with some of the dwindling number of surviving troops who fought Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, along with those who have served since the terrorist attacks of September 11. He told the D-day veterans: "Your legacy is in good hands." Obama's speech during the morning ceremony came after he met privately with some of the dwindling number of surviving troops , along with those who have served since the terrorist attacks of September 11. He told the D-day veterans: "Your legacy is in good hands."
The president mentioned that his grandfather served in Patton's army and his grandmother was among the many women who went to work supporting the war effort back home, in her case on a B-29 bomber assembly line. The president said his grandfather served in Patton's army and his grandmother was among many women who went to work to support the war effort back home, in her case on a B-29 bomber assembly line.
Obama also singled out from the audience Sgt 1st Class Cory Remsburg, an army ranger who served 10 deployments and was severely wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Obama recognised Remsburg at the emotional high-point of his State of the Union address earlier this year, after first meeting him five years ago at the Normandy commemoration. The two reunited on Friday as Obama met with veterans at Omaha beach before his speech. Obama also singled out from the audience Sgt 1st Class Cory Remsburg, an army ranger who served 10 deployments and was severely wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Obama recognised Remsburg at the emotional high-point of his state of the union address earlier this year, after first meeting him five years ago at the Normandy commemoration. The two met on Friday as Obama greeted veterans at Omaha beach before his speech.
"For in a time when it has never been more tempting to pursue narrow self-interest and slough off common endeavour, this generation of Americans, our men and women of war, have chosen to do their part as well," Obama said."For in a time when it has never been more tempting to pursue narrow self-interest and slough off common endeavour, this generation of Americans, our men and women of war, have chosen to do their part as well," Obama said.
"And someday, future generations, whether 70 or 700 years hence, will gather at places like this to honour them and to say that these were generations of men and women who proved once again that the United States of America is and will remain the greatest force for freedom the world has ever known," Obama said. "And some day, future generations, whether 70 or 700 years hence, will gather at places like this to honour them and to say that these were generations of men and women who proved once again that the United States of America is and will remain the greatest force for freedom the world has ever known."