President Joe Biden marked the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a speech in Normandy, France, honoring those who stormed the beaches 80 years ago.
"Here we proved that the ideas of democracy are stronger than any army or combination of armies in the entire world," Biden said. "We proved something else as well: the unbreakable unity of the allies."
Biden then emphasized the ongoing struggle between dictatorship and freedom and the importance of global alliances in preserving democracy.
"The price of unchecked tyranny is the blood of the young and the brave," Biden said. He drew parallels between the alliance that led to the D-Day invasion and the NATO alliance today, stating that such alliances make us stronger and isolationism is not the answer.
Biden also addressed the current conflict in Ukraine, describing it as a stark example of a tyrant bent on domination. He affirmed the United States, NATO, and a coalition of more than 50 countries' support for Ukraine, warning that if Ukraine falls, its neighbors and all of Europe will be threatened.
"We will not walk away," Biden declared, adding that surrendering to bullies or bowing down to dictators is unthinkable(^1^).
The president's speech was delivered at a ceremony attended by dozens of surviving veterans, many of whom are centenarians. Among the crowd were notable figures such as Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, whose works have brought the stories of D-Day to new generations.
Biden concluded his speech by reminding the audience that democracy is never guaranteed and every generation must preserve, defend, and fight for it.
Photo: SAUL LOEB / AFP / Getty Images