Biden links defense of Ukraine to heroism of D-Day as he warns ‘dark forces’ have not faded: ‘We will not walk away’

Eighty years to the day that British, American, and Canadian soldiers landed in France and began the fight to liberate Europe that would end with the death of Hitler and defeat of Nazi Germany, President Joe Biden told an audience — that included dignitaries and nearly three dozen veterans of the battle on Normandy beaches — that their war against fascism is echoed in the fight against Russian aggression being waged by Ukrainian soldiers and their allies today.

Biden told the assembled veterans, some of whom were decorated with the French Legion of Honor by President Emmanuel Macron, that it was his “highest honor” to salute them and recalled how several of those present on stage with him hadcontributed to the Allied victory that day.

“The men who fought here became heroes, not because they're the strongest or toughest or fiercest, although they were but because they were given an audacious mission, knowing the probability of dying was real. But they did it anyway,” he said.

“They knew… beyond any doubt that there are things that are worth fighting and dying for: Freedom is worth it. Democracy is worth it. America's worth it, the world is worth it, then, now and always.”

Earlier in the day, Biden took time to meet and speak individually with the veterans who had travelled to France to mark the anniversary, presenting each one with a special challenge coin, a type of commemorative medallion, commissioned to mark the occasion.

Both Biden and the veterans appeared moved by the encounter, with some of the century-old men rising from wheelchairs to salute the commander-in-chief.

As he pressed the bespoke coin into the hand of one veteran, the president told him it was his “great honor” to meet.

To another, a 104-year-old