D-Day

Lt. Col. Michael Burns didn’t know exactly what was inside the small brown box that arrived on his Fayetteville, North Carolina, doorstep but the return address in the left corner let him know he couldn’t open it right away.

He is also filming ceremonies and wreathlayings for the families.

The coronavirus pandemic and its lockdown restrictions made sure the famous Omaha Beach landing strip was largely deserted.

They decided to swap stories about their lives during the pandemic.

Rice jumped with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division in World War II.

Passing on memories is especially urgent, with hundreds of World War II veterans now dying every day.

The world leaders kept the focus on the veterans, reading the words of participants in the conflict.

Their engines throbbing, C-47 transporters dropped group after group of parachutists.

Near Omaha Beach, the beauty of the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer strikes any visitor entering the site, with its immaculate lawns, majestic pines, commanding view of the Atlantic and row upon row of crosses.

Historians stress the importance of keeping their memories alive.