President Biden met Thursday with veterans who landed on the shores of Normandy beaches, during his trip to France marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The president and first lady Jill Biden stood in a small gazebo that looked out on Omaha Beach as each veteran was announced and brought up to them by an active service member.
The president shook hands with each of them and posed for a photograph.
“A great honor. I mean it, seriously,” Biden said to one in an Army jacket.
“The greatest generation ever, man,” he told a 102-year-old.
“You saved the world,” he said to another.
The D-Day landings, which are the largest amphibious invasion in history, helped turn the tide of World War II.
Some veterans stood up from their wheelchair to meet Biden. Many of the World War II veterans are over 100. It’s not fully known how many veterans are still alive, but about 150 Americans who took part 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 said to Biden.
As another dropped back into his wheelchair after standing up, Biden responded, “Good move, man.”
One veteran said it was his birthday Saturday, to which Biden responded, “we gotta sing happy birthday,” then told the press traveling with him to chime in.
The president is set to give a speech later Thursday to honor the veterans and, Friday, deliver a speech that focuses on democracy and freedom in an effort to draw a contrast in values and global leadership with former President Trump.
Multiple other world leaders are also in Normandy, including French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles III. Dozens of members of Congress also attended the ceremonies, including Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), as well as Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Steve Scalise (R-La.).
Also spotted at a gazebo near where Biden was greeting veterans were actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg, who at one point were “cornered” by Cruz for a chat, according to reporters traveling with the president.