An American veteran who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day has told Joe Biden not to “get old” as he appeared to offer the president some life advice ahead of November’s election.
Mr Biden met dozens of veterans, many of whom were more than 100 years old, at the Normandy American Cemetery on Thursday for a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the offensive.
He saluted and shook the hand of each man he met, with those who were able to stand rising from their wheelchairs to greet him. Jill Biden, his wife, helped to keep them standing as they met her husband.
The meet-and-greet took a humorous turn when one former soldier stood up and told Mr Biden: “Don’t get old.”
The US president joked to another former serviceman with thick white curls: “Can I borrow some of your hair?”
The 81-year-old US president is very likely to be the last holder of the office who was alive when D-Day took place in 1944. He was 18 months old at the time.
Mr Biden’s age has been a consistent hindrance to his re-election campaign, with more than half of voters reporting that they believe he is too old to run again.
‘Highest honour’
As one veteran sat back down, the president commented: “Good move man,” according to a White House pool report of their interaction.
Mr Biden said it was the “highest honour” to be able to salute veterans in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the US military.
“Freedom is worth it, democracy is worth it,” he added. “Then, now, and forevermore.”
Mr Biden spoke alongside Emmanuel Macron, the French president, who called him “dear Joe Biden” and talked warmly of Franco-American relations.
Twelve presidents have addressed D-Day memorial ceremonies during their time in office, although this year’s 80th anniversary is likely to be the last major milestone that veterans of Operation Overlord will be able to attend.
On Friday, Mr Biden will return to Pointe du Hoc, the site of a German defensive position on the cliffs above Omaha Beach, to set out the case for protecting “freedom and democracy”.
The speech will echo a similar address by Ronald Reagan in 1984, on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, in which he praised the “boys of Pointe du Hoc”.
