World War II veterans from across the United States, accompanied by dozens of other Allied troops, have gathered in Normandy, France to mark the 80th anniversary of the historic D-Day landings. The commemorative week began with a spectacular display of parachutists jumping from World War II-era C-47 transport planes, reminiscent of the brave soldiers who leaped into the war-torn Normandy skies eight decades ago.

The three C-47 transport planes dropped a total of six strings of jumpers, with their round parachutes gracefully opening in the blue skies, evoking memories of the courageous military maneuvers of the past. The massive crowd in attendance cheered with excitement as the planes made additional passes and dropped two more groups of jumpers.

One particularly thrilling moment occurred when a startled deer emerged from the undergrowth and sprinted across the landing zone, capturing the attention and applause of the spectators. As the planes completed their final pass, dropping the last two jumpers, they roared overhead in tight formation, disappearing over the horizon.

This week's ceremonies hold great significance as the number of World War II veterans continues to decline. The surviving heroes, now in their late nineties and older, are returning to pay homage to their fallen comrades and ensure that the sacrifices made during D-Day and the Battle of Normandy are never forgotten.

Among the veterans present is Don Graves, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in the Pacific theater, specifically in Iwo Jima. Graves emphasized the importance of passing on the stories and lessons of the war to younger generations, stating, "I want the younger people, the younger generation here to know what we did."

The group of more than 60 World War II veterans, flown in by American Airlines, includes the youngest veteran at 96 years old and the most senior at 107. Ralph Goldsticker, a U.S. Air Force captain who served in the 452nd Bomb Group, expressed his memories of the D-Day landings and the bombing raids against German strongholds.

The commemorations in Normandy aim to not only honor the past but also to remind the world of the horrors of war. The solemn events, which include fireworks shows and ceremonies attended by world leaders such as U.S. President Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and British royals, reinforce the importance of remembrance and encourage current generations to understand the devastating consequences of conflict.

As the number of World War II veterans dwindles, their presence in Normandy serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made to liberate Europe from Adolf Hitler's tyranny. This gathering of heroes underscores their desire to ensure that the lessons learned from the past are never forgotten, as the world continues to grapple with the challenges of war and peace.