As the survivors fade into history, the world marks a D-Day anniversary like no other

On so many different levels, the gathering of western leaders in Normandy today is steeped in symbolism as the nations whose troops stormed the beaches eight decades ago reflect on wars — past and present.

The ceremonies that will unfold throughout today, however, also mark what might be the world's last opportunity to celebrate the handful of surviving soldiers, sailors and aircrew who charged forth on June 6, 1944 into the teeth of the Nazi guns — and to say goodbye.

Time grows short for the veterans of D-Day, most of whom are at least close to a century old. That fact was underscored painfully by the passing of navy veteran Bill Cameron, who had been slated to be part of the official Veterans Affairs Canada delegation.

He died Friday, the day before he was set to board a plane in Vancouver, the Canadian Press reported. Cameron was 100 years old.

Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas-Taylor said this year's commemoration will likely be the last attended by veterans of the European campaign, but the federal government will continue to mark the occasion.

«It's so important for us as Canadians to continue with these very important events,» she said Wednesday.

The ceremonies, including the Canadian commemoration event at Juno Beach and the international ceremony at Omaha Beach, will be attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join President Joe Biden at the U.S.-led ceremony.

The Allied invasion of France on D-Day marked the beginning of the end of Nazi tyranny. The battle holds an important place in the collective imagination of western democracies.

This 80th anniversary comes at another pivotal moment in history, as a full-scale war rages in Eastern Europe.

Russia has not been