Maj. Gen. Mark Barrett, EUCOM chief of staff, speaks at the 69th anniversary of D-Day commemoration ceremony on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, June 5, 2013.

It’s been almost seven decades since U.S. and allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, during WWII. As age catches up with the veterans of that era we’re able to hear fewer and fewer of their accounts first-hand. In this story we hear from the veterans of that conflict and what visiting Normandy means for a younger generations of service members.

When Eugene Cook jumped into Normandy during the predawn hours of June 6, 1944, he landed several miles from his intended drop zone.

Air Force reservists and other U.S. and allied military members paid their respects to the people of this small French village June 1 as part of a number of ceremonies recognizing the 68th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day invasion.

On the morning of June 5, 1944, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of Allied forces in Europe gave the go-ahead for Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious military operation in history. On his orders, 6,000 landing craft, ships and other vessels carrying 176,000 troops began to leave England for the trip to France. That night, 822 aircraft filled with parachutists headed for drop zones in Normandy. An additional 13,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.

To commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day U.S. Special Operation Forces conducted a military free fall nearby one of Normandy’s most historic attractions.

As American service members prepare for events to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the D-Day landing, there are many opportunities to better understand the legacy of valor that stems from the hedgerows and beaches of Normandy.

Army Reserve paratroopers train with Reserve paratroopers for the 4th Parachute Regiment in the United Kingdom May 29,2012. Both American and British Soldiers were preparing for their airborne operation in Normandy on June 3, 2012 to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the D-Day.

SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE, France -- As American service members prepare for events to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the D-Day landing, there are many opportunities to better understand the legacy of valor that stems from the hedgerows and beaches of Normandy. Hundreds of spectators turned out for fireworks in the town's main square on Saturday, June 3. A replica of Pvt. John Steele hangs by a parachute from the tower. Some of the fiercest fighting of the D-Day invasion of the invasion took place nearby.

Fleet Master Chief Roy M. Maddocks Jr., joined Special Operations Command Europe troops for a High-Altitude Low-Opening demonstration at Mont Saint Michel in France to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day. U.S. military special operations troops stationed in Europe, plus German, French and Russian troops took part.

Special Operations Command Europe troops talks about the High-Altitude Low-Opening demonstration at Mont Saint Michel in France to commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day. U.S. military special operations troops stationed in Europe, plus German, French and Russian troops took part.

On June 3, 2012 Charles H. Rivkin, U.S. Ambassador to France, jumps into D-Day memorial with Golden Knights near the La Fiere bridge, where U.S. paratroopers fought on June 6,1944.

U.S., German, French, Dutch and British troops commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day during the events held in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June 3, 2012.

U.S., German, French, Dutch and British troops commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day during the events held in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June 3, 2012.

See U.S. paratroopers jump from a C-130J at the La Fiere drop zone near Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, June 3, 2012, to honor the 68th anniversary of D-Day. Paratroopers from France, Germany, the Netherlands and the U.K. also participated in the jump.

To commemorate the 68th anniversary of D-Day U.S. Special Operation Forces conducted a military free fall nearby one of Normandy’s most historic attractions.

Airmen and an Air Force Reserve Command C-130 Hercules from Colorado’s 302nd Airlift Wing left here today and will be one of three Air Force Reserve C-130 wings participating in events commemorating the 68th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion of France.

As a mother and military spouse, with three very active children, our household is much like any other family: the hustle and bustle of everyday life often distracts us from realizing how lucky we really are. In the few quiet moments I have, I often give thanks for being an American in the 21st century. Although these quiet moments are too few and far between, I realize that my right to “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” wasn’t just handed to me, but fought for by the many who served and died.

I'll admit I've never been big on history, but there's something surreal about visiting the tiny villages our American Soldiers helped liberate 67 years ago. After meeting several D-Day veterans, walking on the beaches where thousands fought and died, and seeing the steep cliffs where they encountered enemy fire made history real for me. It's no longer just a documentary or war movie on television.

Here we are in the middle of what I believe is the most important week of the year for U.S. European Command.  On one end, a long weekend recently completed in honor of Memorial Day.  On the other end of this important stretch of days - D-Day.

I’m finally back home after nearly two weeks on the road and it has been more than a week now since I jumped into Iron Mike Drop Zone in Normandy, France to commemorate the 66th Anniversary of D-Day.  I’ll never forget the experience –  not just because of the historic significance, but also because of those that jumped with me that day.  As you probably well know, British, Canadian and American forces jumped to secure the Allied flanks on D-Day, but personnel from Australia, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Poland also took part in the landings.  On D-Day 66, I hit the ground, collected my parachute, and then walked off the drop zone with British, French, Polish, Dutch, German and fellow Americans paratroopers surrounding me.  On my aircraft alone, we had Dutch, German and Polish paratroopers and I earned both the Dutch and Polish jump wings that day.    

This military verbal command, which is used to line up troops, is probably still ringing in the heads of the U.S., French, and German military members that lined up side by side in several ceremonies yesterday in the Normandy region of France.

Last year when I attended the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion, I left Normandy, France feeling the proudest I’ve ever been wearing the U.S. Army uniform. So this year when I boarded the MC-130 Shadow aircraft to Normandy, I was excited to return to a place where the American Soldier is so adored and appreciated.

I finally arrived in Northern France to St. Mere Eglise (SME). My hotel is located just to the outskirts of town and was an easy walk into the town square. It is a surreal feeling to walk through such a historic location without the aid of an Xbox game controller while playing the latest Call of Duty video game or through a production that either starred or was directed by Tom Hanks. Here it was in real life and it really feels like history is alive here.This small town was founded in the 11th century but will forever be known as one of the first towns to be liberated from Nazi Germany by the Allied Forces during the Normandy landings to include the 82nd Airborne and U.S. 101st Airborne Divisions on June 6th, 1944.

I’m new to EUCOM, new to Europe altogether, and I cannot imagine a better time of year: we just celebrated Memorial Day and the 66th Anniversary of D-Day is here. And I’m in Europe for all of it.

An Army major gives his take on the importance of remembering D-Day during its 66th Anniversary.

A German band plays during a 66th D-Day Memorial ceremony in France.

An Army colonel stationed at Fort Bragg gives his insight into the 66th Anniversary of D-Day

American, French and German soldiers gather together for the 66th Anniversary of D-Day.

I was deep in the heart of France yesterday during Memorial Day as I'm on my way to provide support for the events scheduled in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of D-Day. I left out from our U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany and stopped at the halfway point on the way to the beaches of Normandy.

65 years after D-Day, more than 800 U.S. military troops came to Normandy to commemorate the sacrifice of so many. Local French citizens share their memories and show their gratitude - this is Why We Remember. View more photos, stories and videos at www.eucom.mil/dday65