Normandy marks D-Day's 79th anniversary, honours Second World War veterans
CTV
This year's tribute to the young soldiers who died in Normandy also reminds veterans, officials and visitors what Ukraine faces today.
An overwhelming sound of gunfire and men's screams. That's how Second World War veteran Marie Scott described D-Day, as Tuesday's ceremonies got underway in honour of those who fought for freedom in the largest naval, air and land operation in history.
This year's tribute to the young soldiers who died in Normandy also reminds veterans, officials and visitors what Ukraine faces today.
On Tuesday, the whistling sound of the wind accompanied many reenactors who came to Omaha Beach at dawn to mark the 79th anniversary of the assault that led to the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi control. Some brought bunches of flowers; others waved American flags.
Scott lived it all through her ears. She was just 17 when she was posted as communication operator in Portsmouth, Britain. Her job was to pass on messages between men on the ground and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and senior officers who were supervising the operation.
"I was in the war. I could hear gunfire, machine guns, bombing aircraft, men screaming, shouting, men giving orders," she recalled.
"After a few moments of horror, I realized what was happening and I thought, well, you know, there's no time for horror. You've got a job to do. So get on with it. Which is what I did."
Now about to turn 97, Scott said D-Day was a "pivotal point" in her life.
