D-Day veteran, 97, parachutes into Normandy 75 years later: 'I'd go up and do it all again' - Fox News

CARENTAN, France — Parachutists are jumping over Normandy again, just as soldiers did 75 years ago for D-Day - but this time without being shot at.

Engines throbbing, C-47 transport planes dropped group after group of parachutists, a couple of hundred in all - including a 97-year-old D-Day veteran, Tom Rice.

"It went perfect, perfect jump," Rice said after his jump. "I feel great. I'd go up and do it all again."

The jumpers were honoring the airborne soldiers who descended into gunfire and death ahead of the June 6, 1944, seaborne invasion.

D-DAY VETERAN, 99, GETS OVATION FROM THE QUEEN AND TRUMP AS HE LEADS TRIBUTES

U.S. World War II paratrooper veteran Tom Rice, 97 years-old who served with the 101st Airbone, jumps during a commemorative parachute jump over Carentan on the Normandy coast ahead of the 75th D-Day anniversary, France, June 5, 2019.  (Reuters)

The landing zone for Wednesday's operation was fields of wildflowers outside Carentan, one of the objectives of the thousands of paratroopers who entered occupied France from the sky dropped over Normandy in the D-Day prelude.

Rice, of San Diego, jumped into roughly the same area he landed in on D-Day. He said it was dark when he touched down in 1944 and he can't be sure exactly where he was.

Rice jumped with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division on that momentous day 75 years ago, landing safely despite catching himself on the exit and a bullet striking his parachute. He called the 1944 jump "the worst jump I ever had."

VAN HIPP: ROOSEVELT'S D-DAY PRAYER STILL RESONATES - ALL AMERICANS SHOULD READ IT THIS WEEK

"I got my left armpit caught in the lower left-hand corner of the door so I swung out, came back and hit the side of the aircraft, swung out again and came back, and I just tried to straighten my arm out and I got free," he told The Associated Press in an interview.

His jump on Wednesday was a different story. He came down in tandem with another parachutist, after preparing for six months with a physical trainer.

U.S. World War II D-Day veteran Tom Rice, from Coronado, CA, after parachuting in a tandem jump into a field in Carentan, Normandy, France, Wednesday, June 5, 2019.  (AP)

Rice flew down with an American flag fluttering beneath him and landed to a wave of applause from the crowd of thousands that gathered to watch the aerial display.

Other parachutists jumped with World War II souvenirs, some carrying items their grandfathers took into battle. Many spectators wore war-era uniforms, and music of the time played over loudspeakers.

WORLD LEADERS INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP GATHER TO COMMEMORATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY LANDINGS

Robert Schaefer, a retired lieutenant colonel with the U.S. Army's Green Berets who served in Afghanistan, carried whiskey, cigars and the dog tag and wallet his grandfather, George J. Ehmet, had with him when he fought as an artilleryman in France.

"I feel like I got to jump with my grandpa," Schaefer said afterward.

Approximately 200 parachutists participated in the jump over Normandy on Wednesday, replicating a jump made by U.S. soldiers on June 6, 1944 as a prelude to the seaborne invasions on D-Day.  (AP)

British parachutists jumped later Wednesday en masse over Sannerville. D-Day veterans were expected to be among them. The jumps were part of events marking the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.

Asked how his D-Day comrades would have felt about him jumping, Rice said, "They would love it."

"Some of them couldn't handle it. Many of them are deceased. We had 38% casualties," he said.

With the number of D-Day survivors dwindling fast, Rice said, "I represent a whole generation."

Like many other veterans, he said he remains troubled by the war.

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"All the GIs suffer from same blame and shame," Rice said. "It bothers us all the time for what we did. We did a lot of destruction, damage. And we chased the Germans out, and coming back here is a matter of closure. You can close the issue now," he said.

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2019-06-05 15:19:43Z
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Mexican officials to meet with Pence in last-ditch effort to avert tariffs | TheHill - The Hill

Vice President Pence on Wednesday will meet with top Mexican officials who are seeking to persuade the Trump administration to abandon plans to impose sweeping tariffs that leaders on both sides of the border warn could damage the continent’s economy.

Frustrated by increasing levels of illegal migration, an issue he pledged to address during the 2016 campaign, Trump suddenly announced last week he would slap a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican goods beginning on Monday, which could rise to 25 percent by October unless Mexico cracks down.

Trump said Tuesday during a press conference in London that “it’s more likely that the tariffs go on” according to schedule, dimming hopes for a quick resolution during Wednesday’s meeting at the White House.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard is expected to argue that his country has already taken steps to detain more migrants as well as other steps designed to prevent them from crossing into the U.S. Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoOn The Money: Trump weighs emergency declaration for Mexico tariffs | GOP senators look to rein in Trump on trade | Powell says Fed may cut rates if trade war hurts economy On The Money: Trump weighs emergency declaration for Mexico tariffs | GOP senators look to rein in Trump on trade | Powell says Fed may cut rates if trade war hurts economy McConnell hopes to avoid Trump confrontation on Mexico tariffs MORE left Trump’s trip in Europe to attend the meeting in Washington.

Ebrard told reporters Tuesday that the delegation's time in Washington had spent preparing for the Wednesday meeting, which had been quickly convened with Pompeo over the weekend.

“What Mexico must do and we are doing is to prepare, and we have our strategy on how to coexist with what sometimes can be unpredictable," said Ebrard. “We can’t guarantee that in the future there won't be another sort of differences with the United States but we have to be prepared to manage them.”

Trump, who decided with a small cadre of advisers to go ahead with the tariffs, has faced major blowback from Republican senators who say the tariffs could slow the U.S. economy and stymie progress on ratifying the revised North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico.

Some GOP senators have warned the White House that it should not count on their support, as opposed to earlier this year when Trump declared a national emergency to circumvent Congress in order to obtain money for the president’s long-promised border wall. Lawmakers are considering legislation that would disapprove of the tariffs and curb Trump’s ability to impose future import duties on his own.

“This would certainly give me great pause in terms of supporting that type of declaration to enact tariffs versus building the wall, which I completely supported,” Sen. Ron JohnsonRonald (Ron) Harold JohnsonTrump, GOP edge closer to confrontation on tariffs Trump, GOP edge closer to confrontation on tariffs On The Money: Trump weighs emergency declaration for Mexico tariffs | GOP senators look to rein in Trump on trade | Powell says Fed may cut rates if trade war hurts economy MORE (R-Wis.) told reporters on Tuesday. “Listen, Republicans don't like taxes on American consumers, what tariffs are.”

The Trump administration has been vague about what steps Mexico would need to take in order to prevent the tariffs from taking effect, adding further confusion to the situation.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan told The Hill in an interview the administration wants to see Mexico help create a “vast reduction” in illegal crossings by tightening security on its border with Guatemala, expanding intelligence sharing with U.S. law enforcement agencies targeting criminal gangs and cracking down on migrants crossing its northern border with the U.S.

“He believes Mexico can do more to address this flow from Central America and that’s the No. 1 metric we are looking for,” McAleenan said of Trump. “We can’t have the situation where 1,000 people in one group can cross the border at 4 a.m. without any interdiction or without any effort to stop that unlawful activity.”

McAleenan was referring to the recent detention of more than 1,000 migrants at the crossing near El Paso, Texas, the largest number on record.

But those changes could take months, if not longer, to take effect. Acting White House chief of staff Mick MulvaneyJohn (Mick) Michael MulvaneyMexico seeks diplomatic solution to avoid Trump tariffs Fox News guest holds up photo of John McCain in case 'the president's watching' Mexico begins immigration talks amid Trump tariff threat MORE said last week Mexico’s progress would be judged on an “ad hoc” basis.

In the meantime, many in Washington fear they might not have that long until the tariffs take a toll on the economy.

The private sector added just 27,000 jobs in May, according to a key study, a sign the president’s multi-front trade war is beginning to have an effect. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday the central bank is “closely monitoring” the situation and indicated it could respond by slashing interest rates in order to prevent widespread damage.

The diplomatic and economic tensions could slow or stop progress toward the president’s NAFTA revision, which Pence has previously vowed that Congress would approve by this summer.

The trade pact was signed by the leaders of all three countries last year but must still be ratified by their legislatures. The U.S. and Mexican governments have both started the formal legislative process, but consideration could be delayed with the tariffs in place.

Mexico recently became the U.S.’s largest trading partner. Last year, the U.S. imported $346.5 billion in goods from Mexico, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. Automakers, agricultural companies and retailers are expected to be hit hardest by the duties that will be paid for by U.S. importers, which often pass along the cost to consumers.

Rafael Bernal contributed.

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2019-06-05 15:13:26Z
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D-Day veteran, 99, gets ovation from the Queen and Trump as he leads tributes - Fox News

A 99-year-old D-Day veteran got a standing ovation from Donald Trump and the Queen Wednesday as he led the nation's tributes to brave troops who stormed the Normandy beaches 75 years ago.

John Jenkins gave a moving speech at the historic D-Day commemoration ceremony in Portsmouth.

As he walked on to the stage, the entire crowd - including the Queen, Prince Charles, Donald Trump and Theresa May - rose to honor him.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE FROM THE SUN

D-Day veteran John Jenkins on stage during commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings, in Portsmouth, England, Wednesday June 5, 2019. (PA via AP)

WORLD LEADERS INCLUDING PRESIDENT TRUMP GATHER TO COMMEMORATE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY LANDINGS

Mr Jenkins was a 24-year-old platoon sergeant in the Pioneer Corps when he landed in Normandy on June 8, 1944.

He was deployed on Gold Beach, one of the five landing points on the French coast where Allied troops launched their operations.

Mr Jenkins, from Portsmouth, told the crowd: "I was terrified. I think everyone was - you don't show it, but it's there.

"I look back on it as a big part of my life, it changed me in a way - but I was just a small part in a very big machine.

"You never forget your comrades because we were all in there together."

WALTER BORNEMAN: REMEMBER THESE TWO YOUNG MEN WHO HELPED TO WIN D-DAY

D-Day veteran John Jenkins stands onstage during an event to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Portsmouth, England Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

The veteran concluded: "It's right that the courage and sacrifice of so many veterans is being honored 75 years on.

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"We must never forget - thank you."

This story originally appeared in The Sun. For more from The Sun, click here.

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2019-06-05 14:58:03Z
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Pennsylvania woman died days before Maryland couple at the same hotel in the Dominican Republic - CNN

Miranda Schaup-Werner, 41, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, had just checked in May 25 and enjoyed a drink from a minibar at the Bahia Principe Hotel in La Romana, family spokesman Jay McDonald told CNN affiliate WFMZ.

She and her husband, Dan Werner, were celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary when she suddenly collapsed in her hotel room, he said.

"At one point, she was sitting there happily smiling and taking pictures and the next moment she was in acute pain and called out for Dan and she collapsed," McDonald said.

"He was understandably in shock, but the whole thing was just so stunning."

Paramedics were called, and first aid was provided, but Schaup-Werner died in the room, Dominican Republic National Police Col. Frank Felix Durán Mejia told CNN.

A cause of death has not been determined, and a toxicology report is pending, but no violence was involved, Durán Mejia said.

Prosecutors are investigating the circumstances of her death, the Dominican attorney general's office said Wednesday.

Couple die nearly a week later

Five days later, on May 30, Maryland couple Edward Nathaniel Holmes, 63, and Cynthia Ann Day, 49, missed their scheduled checkout time at the same resort. Hotel employees later found them dead, police said.

When Schaup-Werner's family heard about the couple's deaths, they notified the US State Department of the similarities and requested an investigation, according to McDonald. He said Schaup-Werner was healthy before her death.

"What we thought was a freak event now we don't know," he said.

CNN has reached out to the resort for more information.

3 Americans in 5 days

The two families are searching for answers after the loss of their loved ones in the same resort five days apart.

In a statement to CNN, the State Department confirmed last month's deaths of the three US citizens.

"We offer our sincerest condolences to the families for their loss," it said.

After Day and Holmes died, the Dominican Republic National Police said an autopsy concluded the couple had respiratory failure and pulmonary edema, an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs.

Medications meant to treat high blood pressure were found in the room, police said. There were no signs of violence in the room.

All 3 checked in on same day

Holmes and Day were engaged, and were from Prince George's County, Maryland, relatives told CNN affiliate WBAL. They were supposed to fly back home the day they were found.

Days before their deaths, Holmes posted Facebook photos of him and Day enjoying their time in open waters.

"Boat ride of a lifetime!!!" one caption said.

The three Americans all checked into the hotel May 25 -- the same day Schaup-Werner died, the affiliate reported. The couple were checking out five days later when they were found.

The bodies of all three Americans were transported to forensic science institutes in the Dominican Republic for examinations, officials said.

"We are deeply saddened by the incident at one of our hotels in La Romana, Dominican Republic, and want to express our deepest condolences to their family and friends," Bahia Principe Hotels said in a statement after the couple's death.

La Romana is on the Caribbean coast and has a population of about 130,000.

CNN's Rebekah Riess, Andrea Diaz and Rosa Flores contributed to this report.

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2019-06-05 14:40:48Z
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Trump reads FDR's D-Day prayer as Queen Elizabeth II, world leaders remember World War II Normandy landing - USA TODAY

Kim Hjelmgaard USA TODAY

Published 10:08 AM EDT Jun 5, 2019

PORTSMOUTH, England – On the final leg of his three-day state visit to Britain, President Donald Trump joined Queen Elizabeth II and leaders from around the world in paying respects to Allied service members who 75 years ago took part in the D-Day landings that helped liberate Europe from Nazi Germany's military occupation. 

The Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, were the largest land, air and sea invasion in history and Portsmouth Naval Base, near where the commemorations took place Wednesday, served as a key launch pad for those forces.

In an address, the queen said that "75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. In a broadcast to the nation at that time, my father, King George VI, said: 'What is demanded from us all is something more than courage and endurance; we need a revival of spirit, a new unconquerable resolve.' That is exactly what those brave men brought to the battle, as the fate of the world depended on their success."

Earlier, in a special message to mark the occasion, the queen said: "At this time of reflection for veterans of the conflict and their families, I am sure that these commemorations will provide an opportunity to honor those who made extraordinary sacrifices to secure freedom in Europe. They must never be forgotten." 

In addition to Trump, the queen and Prime Minister Theresa May hosted 14 other leaders in Portsmouth, including France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel and Canada's Justin Trudeau. Prince Charles attended with representatives from every country that participated in the storming of the beaches along France's northwestern coast in a surprise attack involving 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and 150,000 soldiers. More than 4,000 Allied service members – more than half of them American – died in the assault credited with changing the course of the war.

The event featured a number of British and American veterans of the invasion. Their chests bore ribbons and medals and a few of them clutched canes. The story of the build-up to the battle was told through live music, performances and readings. 

"We must never forget," said D-Day veteran John Jenkins, 99, addressing a crowd of more than a thousand seated in folding chairs before an amphitheater-type stage. About 300 World War II veterans attended the ceremony on England's south coast. 

Trump read a prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt delivered in a radio address on June 6, 1944, as U.S. and allied forces were crossing the English Channel to land on the beaches of Normandy, France. "Almighty God, our sons, pride of our nation, this day, have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion and our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity," Trump read. 

World War II D-Day: 5 to know on the 75th anniversary of Normandy landings

Several hours before the event, Trump launched into a Wednesday morning tweet storm, criticizing the "Corrupt Media," praising his "warm" treatment by Britain's royal family and offering condolences to Israel President Reuven Rivlin on the death of his wife Nechama  Rivlin. He also unleashed attacks on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Vice President Joe Biden and even actress and singer Bette Midler. 

In a news conference on Tuesday with May, Trump said he was grateful for the warm welcome he has received from the royal family and the prime minister during his visit to Britain. "The bonds of friendship forged here and sealed in blood on those hallowed beaches will endure forever," Trump said at the news conference.

He said the D-Day landings "may have been the greatest battle ever in history."

Colin King, 73, who served in the British Navy and was manning a pop-up booth in Portsmouth for the Royal Navy Association, a support group for ex-service members, said Trump "had done quite well" on his trip to Britain and as far as he was concerned the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Britain had "never been better." 

"I haven't seen too many people complaining about his tweets," he said. 

Before and after: Photos reveal dramatic changes since D-Day

Ahead of the commemorations, the countries taking part issued a joint statement pledging to make sure the "unimaginable horror" of World War II did not happen again.

Later Wednesday, Trump will make his first visit as president to Ireland, where he will hold meetings with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at Shannon Airport, before spending the night at the Trump golf club in Doonbeg. He will then travel to France for further D-Day commemorations focused on honoring Americans killed in the fighting. 

75th D-Day anniversary: The Pieper twins are finally together in Normandy

Prior to the ceremonies Trump also took part in a broadcast interview with "Good Morning Britain," telling host Piers Morgan that he meant no harm when he used the term "nasty" in discussing the American-born Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The phrase generated a lot of media coverage and Trump sought to clarify that he was speaking specifically on her comments about him, not about her.

"She was nasty to me. And that’s okay for her to be nasty, it’s not good for me to be nasty to her and I wasn’t," Trump said in the interview, which he also used to play down an earlier comment that any trade deal between the U.S. and Britain after the latter leaves the European Union could involve Britain's National Health Service, a prospect that has alarmed many Britons and politicians.  

In the interview, Trump was also asked about avoiding serving in the Vietnam War. 

"Well I was never a fan of that war I’ll be honest with you," he said. "I thought it was a terrible war, I thought it was very far away, nobody ever… you know you’re talking about Vietnam and at that time, nobody had ever heard of the country."

Back in Portsmouth, Laurence Wood, 76, who fought for the British army in Borneo in a conflict against Indonesia in the 1960s, was sitting down on a patch of grass taking it all in. Wood said his mother was a "British GI bride" – in other words, his father was an American soldier stationed in Britain during World War II, part of what historians sometimes refer to as the "friendly invasion" of Britain during the Nazi era. 

After the war, Wood lived with his parents in New York City, but they separated, he moved back to Britain with his mother, and last saw his dad when he was four-years-old. He has lost all touch with his American side of the family, he said. 

He also said Trump's visit had caused him to change his mind about the president.  

"Until he came here, I never liked him," he said. "But he's behaved himself in front of our queen and the royal family and I have appreciated that."

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2019-06-05 13:49:06Z
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'Extraordinary sacrifices': Trump joins Queen Elizabeth II for D-Day anniversary in Portsmouth - USA TODAY

Kim Hjelmgaard USA TODAY

Published 9:35 AM EDT Jun 5, 2019

PORTSMOUTH, England – On the final leg of his three-day state visit to Britain, President Donald Trump joined Queen Elizabeth II and leaders from around the world in paying respects to Allied service members who 75 years ago took part in the D-Day landings that helped liberate Europe from Nazi Germany's military occupation. 

The Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, were the largest land, air and sea invasion in history and Portsmouth Naval Base, near where the commemorations took place Wednesday, served as a key launch pad for those forces.

In an address, the queen said that "75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. In a broadcast to the nation at that time, my father, King George VI, said: 'What is demanded from us all is something more than courage and endurance; we need a revival of spirit, a new unconquerable resolve.' That is exactly what those brave men brought to the battle, as the fate of the world depended on their success."

Earlier, in a special message to mark the occasion, the queen said: "At this time of reflection for veterans of the conflict and their families, I am sure that these commemorations will provide an opportunity to honor those who made extraordinary sacrifices to secure freedom in Europe. They must never be forgotten." 

In addition to Trump, the queen and Prime Minister Theresa May hosted 14 other leaders in Portsmouth, including France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel and Canada's Justin Trudeau. Prince Charles attended with representatives from every country that participated in the storming of the beaches along France's northwestern coast in a surprise attack involving 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and 150,000 soldiers. More than 4,000 Allied service members – more than half of them American – died in the assault credited with changing the course of the war.

The event featured a number of British and American veterans of the invasion. Their chests bore ribbons and medals and a few of them clutched canes. The story of the build-up to the battle was told through live music, performances and readings. 

"We must never forget," said D-Day veteran John Jenkins, 99, addressing a crowd of more than a thousand seated in folding chairs before an amphitheater-type stage. About 300 World War II veterans attended the ceremony on England's south coast. 

Trump read a prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt delivered in a radio address on June 6, 1944, as U.S. and allied forces were crossing the English Channel to land on the beaches of Normandy, France. "Almighty God, our sons, pride of our nation, this day, have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion and our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity," Trump read. 

World War II D-Day: 5 to know on the 75th anniversary of Normandy landings

Several hours before the event, Trump launched into a Wednesday morning tweet storm, criticizing the "Corrupt Media," praising his "warm" treatment by Britain's royal family and offering condolences to Israel President Reuven Rivlin on the death of his wife Nechama  Rivlin. He also unleashed attacks on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Vice President Joe Biden and even actress and singer Bette Midler. 

In a news conference on Tuesday with May, Trump said he was grateful for the warm welcome he has received from the royal family and the prime minister during his visit to Britain. "The bonds of friendship forged here and sealed in blood on those hallowed beaches will endure forever," Trump said at the news conference.

He said the D-Day landings "may have been the greatest battle ever in history."

Colin King, 73, who served in the British Navy and was manning a pop-up booth in Portsmouth for the Royal Navy Association, a support group for ex-service members, said Trump "had done quite well" on his trip to Britain and as far as he was concerned the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Britain had "never been better." 

"I haven't seen too many people complaining about his tweets," he said. 

Before and after: Photos reveal dramatic changes since D-Day

Ahead of the commemorations, the countries taking part issued a joint statement pledging to make sure the "unimaginable horror" of World War II did not happen again.

Later Wednesday, Trump will make his first visit as president to Ireland, where he will hold meetings with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at Shannon Airport, before spending the night at the Trump golf club in Doonbeg. He will then travel to France for further D-Day commemorations focused on honoring Americans killed in the fighting. 

75th D-Day anniversary: The Pieper twins are finally together in Normandy

Prior to the ceremonies Trump also took part in a broadcast interview with "Good Morning Britain," telling host Piers Morgan that he meant no harm when he used the term "nasty" in discussing the American-born Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The phrase generated a lot of media coverage and Trump sought to clarify that he was speaking specifically on her comments about him, not about her.

"She was nasty to me. And that’s okay for her to be nasty, it’s not good for me to be nasty to her and I wasn’t," Trump said in the interview, which he also used to play down an earlier comment that any trade deal between the U.S. and Britain after the latter leaves the European Union could involve Britain's National Health Service, a prospect that has alarmed many Britons and politicians.  

Back in Portsmouth, Laurence Wood, 76, who fought for the British army in Borneo in a conflict against Indonesia in the 1960s, was sitting down on a patch of grass taking it all in. Wood said that his mother was a "British GI bride" – in other words, his father was an American soldier stationed in Britain during World War II, part of what historians sometimes refer to as the "friendly invasion" of Britain during the Nazi era. 

After the war, Wood lived with his parents in New York City, but they separated, he moved back to Britain with his mother, and last saw his dad when he was four-years-old. He has lost all touch with his American side of the family, he said. 

He also said Trump's visit had caused him to change his mind about the president.  

"Until he came here, I never liked him," he said. "One of things I had against him was that he escaped the draft (Trump avoided fighting in Vietnam). But he's behaved himself in front of our queen and the royal family and I have appreciated that."

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2019-06-05 13:13:21Z
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'Extraordinary sacrifices': Trump joins Queen Elizabeth II for D-Day anniversary in Portsmouth - USA TODAY

Kim Hjelmgaard USA TODAY

Published 8:49 AM EDT Jun 5, 2019

PORTSMOUTH, England – On the final leg of his three-day state visit to Britain, President Donald Trump joined Queen Elizabeth II and leaders from around the world in paying respects to Allied service members who 75 years ago took part in the D-Day landings that helped liberate Europe from Nazi Germany's military occupation. 

The Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, were the largest land, air and sea invasion in history and Portsmouth Naval Base, near where the commemorations took place Wednesday, served as a key launch pad for those forces.

In an address, the queen said that "75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. In a broadcast to the nation at that time, my father, King George VI, said: 'What is demanded from us all is something more than courage and endurance; we need a revival of spirit, a new unconquerable resolve.' That is exactly what those brave men brought to the battle, as the fate of the world depended on their success."

Earlier, in a special message to mark the occasion, the queen said: "At this time of reflection for veterans of the conflict and their families, I am sure that these commemorations will provide an opportunity to honor those who made extraordinary sacrifices to secure freedom in Europe. They must never be forgotten." 

In addition to Trump, the queen and Prime Minister Theresa May hosted 14 other leaders in Portsmouth, including France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Angela Merkel and Canada's Justin Trudeau. Prince Charles attended with representatives from every country that participated in the storming of the beaches along France's northwestern coast in a surprise attack involving 5,000 ships, 11,000 airplanes and 150,000 soldiers. More than 4,000 Allied service members – more than half of them American – died in the assault credited with changing the course of the war.

The event featured a number of British and American veterans of the invasion. Their chests carried ribbons and medals and few of them clutched canes. The story of the build-up to the battle was told through live music, performances and readings. 

"We must never forget," said D-Day veteran John Jenkins, 99, addressing a crowd of more than a thousand seated in folding chairs before an amphitheater-type stage.

Trump read a prayer that President Franklin Roosevelt delivered in a radio address on June 6, 1944, as U.S. and allied forces were crossing the English Channel to land on the beaches of Normandy, France. "Almighty God, our sons, pride of our nation, this day, have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion and our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity," Trump read. 

World War II D-Day: 5 to know on the 75th anniversary of Normandy landings

Several hours before the event, Trump launched into a Wednesday morning tweet storm, criticizing the "Corrupt Media," praising his "warm" treatment by Britain's royal family and offering condolences to Israel's president on the death of his wife. He also unleashed attacks on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Vice President Joe Biden and even actress and singer Bette Midler. 

In a news conference on Tuesday with May, Trump said he was grateful for the warm welcome he has received from the royal family and the prime minister during his visit to Britain. "The bonds of friendship forged here and sealed in blood on those hallowed beaches will endure forever," Trump said at the news conference.

He said the D-Day landings "may have been the greatest battle ever in history."

Colin King, 73, who served in the British Navy and was manning a pop-up booth in Portsmouth for the Royal Navy Association, a support group for ex-service members, said Trump "had done quite well" on his trip to Britain and as far as he was concerned the "special relationship" between the U.S. and Britain had "never been better." 

"I haven't seen too many people complaining about his tweets," he said. 

Before and after: Photos reveal dramatic changes since D-Day

Ahead of the commemorations, the countries taking part issued a joint statement pledging to make sure the "unimaginable horror" of World War II did not happen again.

Later Wednesday, Trump will make his first visit as president to Ireland, where he will hold meetings with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at Shannon Airport, before spending the night at the Trump golf club in Doonbeg. He will then travel to France for further D-Day commemorations focused on honoring Americans killed in the fighting. 

75th D-Day anniversary: The Pieper twins are finally together in Normandy

Prior to the ceremonies Trump also took part in a broadcast interview with "Good Morning Britain," telling host Piers Morgan that he meant no harm when he used the term "nasty" in discussing the American-born Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The phrase generated a lot of media coverage and Trump sought to clarify that he was speaking specifically on her comments about him, not about her.

"She was nasty to me. And that’s okay for her to be nasty, it’s not good for me to be nasty to her and I wasn’t," Trump said in the interview, which he also used to play down an earlier comment that any trade deal between the U.S. and Britain after the latter leaves the European Union could involve Britain's National Health Service, a prospect that has alarmed many Britons and politicians.  

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2019/06/05/donald-trump-queen-elizabeth-75th-anniversary-d-day-invasion/1349585001/

2019-06-05 12:21:23Z
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