Biden to Normandy veterans: ‘You saved the world’

President Biden met with veterans who landed on the beaches of Normandy on Thursday to mark 80^th D-Day anniversary.

The President and First Lady Jill Biden stood on a small overlook overlooking Omaha Beach and each veteran was announced and introduced to them by an active military member.

The president shook hands with each of them and posed for a photograph.

“It’s a great honor, really, really,” Biden said to someone in an Army jacket.

“Greatest generation ever, man,” he told a 102-year-old man.

“You saved the world,” he said to another.

The D-Day landings, which constitute the largest amphibious invasion in history, helped turn the tide of World War II.

Some veterans got up from their wheelchairs to meet Biden. Many of the World War II veterans are over 100 years old. It is not known exactly how many veterans are still alive, but about 150 Americans who participated in the Battle of Normandy, including 24 D-Day veterans, were expected to travel to France for the ceremonies.

“Don’t get old,” one veteran told Biden.

When another fell into his wheelchair after standing up, Biden responded, “good move, man.”

One veteran said it was his birthday on Saturday, to which Biden responded, “we have to sing happy birthday,” and then told the press he was traveling with him to intervene.

The president is expected to give a speech later Thursday to honor veterans and on Friday to give a speech that focuses on democracy and freedom in an effort to draw a contrast in values ​​and global leadership with former President Trump.

Several other world leaders are also in Normandy, including French President Macron and King Charles. Dozens of members of Congress also attended the ceremonies, including Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jack Reed (DR.I.) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as well as Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers. (D-Wash.) and Steve Scalise (R-La.).

Also seen in a gazebo near where Biden was greeting veterans were actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg, who at one point was “cornered” by Cruz for a chat, according to reporters traveling with the president.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story