Images of honor in Normandy
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett and American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser spent last weekend paying homage to those who died fighting in the Normandy invasion of World War II, which ultimately led to the defeat of Nazi Germany. Leading up to Monday’s 72nd anniversary of the invasion, the American Legion Family group met with veterans and active-duty troops and top military leaders from around the world. On the anniversary itself, they placed wreaths at the Normandy American Cemetery, the National Guard Memorial at Omaha Beach and at Pointe du Hoc. This gallery is just a small glimpse into three days of honor and remembrance among the French, who demonstrate each year their gratitude for the liberation paid in American blood.
World War II veteran Ralph Ticcioni of Milwaukee, Wis., signs autographs in Ste. Mere-Elise, France. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary wreaths were placed at the monuments honoring airborne casualties of the invasion and Ste. Mere-Eglise D-Day Mayor Alexandre Renaud. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
World War II veteran Bob Noody of New York signs autographs and visits with attendees, including Gen. Mark Milley, right, at the annual Amis des Veterans Americains banquet in Ste. Mere-Elise, France. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett and his group attended the Amis des Veterans Americains annual banquet in Ste. Mere-Eglise. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion 100th Anniversary Honorary Committee member Susan Eisenhower, left, joins National Commander Dale Barnett and AVA President Maurice Renaud in a salute to the colors during Sunday's ceremony at La Fiere Memorial site. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
World War II veteran Ralph Ticcioni of Milwaukee, Wis., received the French Legion of Honor during a ceremony at the La Fiere Memorial site. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
Amis des Veterans Americains President Maurice Renaud speaks during a ceremony at La Fiere Memorial site, before he joined National Commander Dale Barnett and Ste. Mere-Eglise mayor Jean Quetier to sign an agreement protecting the memorial site from futur
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett speaks during a ceremony at the La Fiere Memorial site before he joined Ste. Mere-Eglise Mayor Jean Quetier and Amis des Veterans Americains President Maurice Renaud to sign an agreement protecting the site
U.S. Army Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, attends the ceremony at La Fiere Memorial site. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
A U.S. Navy band and the 82nd Airborne Choir performed at events throughout the weekend in Normandy. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett signs an agreement with Ste. Mere-Eglise Mayor Jean Quetier and Amis des Veterans Americains President Maurice Renaud to protect the La Fiere memorial site from any changes in purpose. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser greets a World War II Coast Guard veteran during D-Day Remembrance ceremonies around the town of Ste. Mere-Eglise in Normandy, France. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
A World War II veteran exits the 12th century church on the town square in Ste. Mere-Eglise, France. The church’s stained-glass windows honor the paratroopers who floated into the Normandy village on the night before the D-Day invasion. Photo by Jeff St
Military re-enactors visit the Normandy American Cemetery in France on the 72nd anniversary of the invasion. Photo by Chris Figueroa
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett pauses to reflect amid the graves of heroes at Normandy American Cemetery. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
A U.S. Navy sailor, American Legion National Auxilary President Sharon Conatser, American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett, Legionnaire Ray Shearer of Post 510 in Indianapolis, and USAA Executive Vice President Dana Simmons lay wreaths at the Normandy American Cemetery. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett salutes after laying a wreath at the foot of the statue “The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves” at the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
A U.S. sailor spending the weekend in Normandy pauses at the grave of Billie D. Harris of Oklahoma. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett greets a World War II veteran after laying a wreath at the Pointe du Hoc Memorial. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett greets servicemembers after laying a wreath at the Pointe du Hoc Monument. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser greets a World War II veteran at the Pointe du Hoc Memorial. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett and his group participated in ceremonies at Pointe du Hoc Monday, among hundreds of onlookers, soldiers and sailors. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion National Commander Dale Barnett poses with a group of soldiers after his group stopped to lay a wreath at the National Guard memorial at Vierville-sur-Mer, overlooking Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion
American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser escorts a WWII veteran to Monday's ceremonies at Pointe du Hoc. Photo by Jeff Stoffer/The American Legion