PHOTO FEATURE: The elderly Norwegian veterans who traveled to France in early June to take part in D-Day memorials came home this time with an entirely different set of memories from Normandy. Those who traveled with them were touched as well by the moving ceremonies.
“Fantastic, just fantastic,” Johannes Hjertaker told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) when it was all over. He was especially moved by the speech made by US President Barack Obama, and by how Obama took time to come and speak to them all.
Here follows a few more photos from the ceremonies last last week, courtesy of the Norwegian military:
Helge Viktor Andresen (left), Wilhelm Mohr and Johannes Hjertaker were among the Norwegian veterans taking part in Friday’s D-Day ceremonies in Normandy. PHOTO: Marius Lauritsen / FST-V/Forsvarets mediesenterThe D-Day veterans had lots of escort assistance during the memorial ceremonies in Normandy. Their average age was 93. PHOTO: Marius Lauritsen / FST-V/Forsvarets mediesenterRolf Kolling (left) og Annæus Schjødt ceremoniously opened streets in Villons-les-Buissons that were named after the Norwegian cities of Oslo and Narvik, in honour of the region’s Norwegian and allied liberators. PHOTO: Marius Lauritsen / FST-V/Forsvarets mediesenterKing Harald attended the D-Day ceremonies as Norway’s head of state. He also met with Norwegian veterans of the historic invasion including Wilhelm Mohr and invited them on board his yacht for a reception. PHOTO: Marius Lauritsen / FST-V/Forsvarets mediesenter
