Reporter’s Notebook: Honoring the Courage and Legacy on the 81st Anniversary of D-Day
Centenarian veterans recall heroism as thousands gather to honor the 75,000 US troops at the 81st D-Day commemoration.
The serene grounds of the American cemetery in Normandy offered a poignant reminder of the immense sacrifices made on D-Day, as commemorations for the 81st anniversary unfolded near the shores of Omaha Beach. It was here, on June 6, 1944, that American and other Allied forces launched a daring assault—by land and by air—that became the crucial turning point in the effort to defeat Nazi Germany during World War II.
The sheer scale of the operation continues to resonate through the decades. Approximately 75,000 U.S. troops took part in the Normandy landings, facing treacherous conditions and heavy fire. On that single day, 2,500 Americans were killed and another 5,000 injured. These numbers, though shocking, only hint at the courage and determination displayed by those who stormed the beaches or parachuted behind enemy lines.
Among the survivors is Jake Larson, a remarkable Minnesotan who, at age 102, still radiates an infectious zest for life. "Not only did I make it through six battles … I made it without a scratch! Somebody ‘upstairs’ loves me," Larson exclaimed with a triumphant smile, embodying the resilience that defined his generation.
This year’s commemoration drew not just veterans and their families, but also military officials who underscored the enduring relevance of the lessons learned on D-Day. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed attendees, meeting with the few remaining World War II veterans and reflecting on the significance of alliances—then and now. "‘America first’ hasn’t meant and doesn’t mean 'America alone,’" Hegseth said. "Working with our allies and partners, there’s a lot we can accomplish now with gathering threats in the world."
However, not all voices at the event shared optimism about the preservation of D-Day’s legacy. Two New York-born centenarian veterans, brought to France by the Greatest Generations Foundation, expressed caution and frustration. Flushing native Ray Sweeney posed a difficult question: "What did we learn? I don’t think we learned much. We gave up a lot of bodies. We had a lot of bodies."
Harold Radish of Brooklyn, meanwhile, offered a sober perspective that challenges the glamorization of war. "War is heroic in the movies. But in real life, it’s killing. It’s not getting along with somebody." His words echoed across the solemn crowds gathered on these now-tranquil French beaches—a stark reminder of the human costs often overshadowed by tales of heroism.
Yet, the presence of so many onlookers paying their respects on Friday sent its own silent message. The steady and robust turnout underlined how deeply the sacrifices of D-Day are woven into collective memory. In this act of remembrance, there is hope that the hard-won lessons of the past endure, even as the world faces new uncertainties.
