Commemorating Bravery: Reflecting on Valor on the 81st D-Day Anniversary
Jaw-dropping! Revisiting D-Day with World War II legends and Pete Hegseth
Fox News senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot takes us to Normandy for the 81st anniversary of D-Day. He's been to many D-Day anniversaries, and they never fail to hit home.
We join the action on June 6, 2025, at the awe-inspiring American cemetery near Omaha Beach. American troops, alongside their allies, stormed these shores amidst skies full of parachutes, eventually defeating Nazi Germany during World War II.
WWII VETERANS RETURN TO NORMANDY FOR STUNNING D-DAY TRIBUTE
Greg Palkot captures the heart-warming scene at the American cemetery in Normandy, France (Greg Palkot)
An incredible 75,000 US troops participated, with 2,500 sacrificing their lives, 5,000 wounded on that very day.
One of these brave men, a 102-year-old Minnesotan named Jake Larson, made it through the battle of Omaha Beach unscathed. He triumphantly declared, "Not only did I make it through six battles… I made it without a scratch! Somebody 'upstairs' loves me."
WWII VETERANS RETURN TO NORMANDY FOR STUNNING D-DAY TRIBUTE
Veteran Jake Larson, 102, speaks to Greg Palkot on June 6, 2025 (Greg Palkot)
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended the ceremony, rallying the dwindling ranks of World War II veterans. He emphasized the importance of alliances, both from D-Day and our current, troubled times.
"'America first' hasn't meant, and doesn't mean 'America alone,'" he stated. "By collaborating with our partners, we can overcome the looming threats in the world."
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Airplanes fly over the American cemetery in Normandy, France, in remembrance of D-Day on June 6, 2025 (Greg Palkot)
However, some veterans who witnessed the Normandy landings and battles across the globe are skeptical of the lesson's impact. Two centenarian combat veterans from New York City, brought to France by the Greatest Generations Foundation, share their thoughts.
Ray Sweeney, a native of Flushing, asked, "What did we learn? I don't think we learned much. We gave up a lot of bodies. We had a lot of bodies."
Brooklyn native Harold Radish observed, "War is glamorized in movies. But in reality, it's slaughter. It's about conflict, not camaraderie."
Despite their reservations, groups of people flocked to the serene French beaches on June 6, 2025, demonstrating a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made. Perhaps some lessons have been understood, and peace will prevail.
A veteran pays tribute on the shore at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on June 6, 2025 (Greg Palkot)
Greg Palkot is a London-based senior foreign affairs correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He started with the network in 1998 as a correspondent.
In light of the D-Day commemoration in Normandy, politics and general news出现，引起 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth 到场当日护卫消亡的 World War II veterans 的代数。 Hegseth 重申了 significance of alliances, 不仅在著名无法逃逸的战役中（D-Day）, 而且对当时困难的时代，例如中状元总统特朗普导入军队数量的 Skyrocketing 引起的影响。
As the D-Day commemoration transformed into a tribute for World War II veterans, politics took a front seat, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth highlighting the importance of alliances not only during the historic D-Day event but also in the current troubled times, including the increased military recruitment under President Trump.
