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WWII veterans, Hegseth reflect on legacy of D-Day

Fox News senior foreign affairs correspondent Greg Palkot discusses World War II veterans and their return to Normandy to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day on ‘Special Report.’

I’ve covered many anniversaries of D-Day, and they never lose their power to move.

We were at the 81st anniversary at the stunning American cemetery in Normandy near Omaha Beach on Friday. American and other allied forces landed on that and other beaches, as well as parachuting from the skies, to go on to defeat Nazi Germany in World War II.

Fox News' Greg Palkot visits an American cemetery in Normandy, France on June 6, 2025. (Greg Palkot)

Some 75,000 U.S. troops were involved. 2,500 were killed. 5,000 injured. Just on that day itself.

One of those who made it across Omaha Beach is the still-very spry 102-year-old Minnesota-born Jake Larson. He declared to us jubilantly, "Not only did I make it through six battles … I made it without a scratch!  Somebody ‘upstairs’ loves me."

Monument unveiled June 6, 2025, honoring U.S. pilots who lost their lives in the D-Day invasion and across Europe in WWII  (Courtesy The Greatest Generations Foundation) (The Greatest Generations Foundation)

WORLD WAR II VETERANS TRAVEL TO NORMANDY FOR EMOTIONAL D-DAY COMMEMORATION

Fox News' Greg Palkot with 102-year-old D-Day veteran Jake Larson on June 6, 2025. (Greg Palkot)

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke at the ceremony marking the day and met with the dwindling number of World War II veterans.

He told us that alliances were important on D-Day and still could be important in these troubled times.

DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH REVEALS WHY MILITARY RECRUITMENT HAS SOARED UNDER TRUMP

Military planes fly over an American cemetery in Normandy, France, in remembrance of D-Day on June 6, 2025. (Greg Palkot)

" America first’ hasn’t meant and doesn’t mean 'America alone,’" he added. "Working with our allies and partners, there’s a lot we can accomplish now with gathering threats in the world."

Still, some of those who saw action in Normandy and around the globe in World War II are not sure the message has gotten through.

WWII veterans at a D-Day celebration ceremony on June 6, 2025. (Greg Palkot)

Two centenarian combat veterans and native New Yorkers, brought to France by the Greatest Generations Foundation, have their own thoughts.

Flushing-born Ray Sweeney asked rhetorically, "What did we learn? I don’t think we learned much. We gave up a lot of bodies. We had a lot of bodies."

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Fox News' Greg Palkot with 103-year-old WWII veteran Ray Sweeney on June 6, 2025. (Greg Palkot)

And Brooklyn-born Harold Radish noted, "War is heroic in the movies. But in real life, it’s killing. It’s not getting along with somebody."

Still, the crowds who came Friday to the now-peaceful French beaches were steady and large. A strong sign that sacrifices have been remembered. And maybe some lessons learned.

A veteran stands on the shores at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on June 6, 2025. (Greg Palkot)