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.

When a service member dies overseas it’s tradition to bring the body back to the home front. But, during WWII that wasn’t always an option. Many troops are laid to rest in American cemeteries throughout Europe. SGT Joshua Blair tells us how service members are cared for here at the American cemetery in Margraten, Natherlands.

Several American service members have paid the ultimate sacrifice...many being laid to rest in American cemeteries throughout Europe. A1C Benjamin Landon tells us about one cemetery that remembers these fallen heroes.

On this edition of the AFN Europe Report: We're on location in Luxeuil Les Bains, France, where the locals pull out all the stops for American veterans who liberated the city 67 years ago. We'll hear stories from the men of our greatest generation. This and more on the AFN Europe Report.

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.

In early March, we teamed up with Project Hope, a non-profit medical service organization, to work with us and our Baltic allies in Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on some of the most relevant, important issues facing all of our forces.

The national commander of the American Legion and the president of the American Legion Auxiliary spent Memorial Day weekend in Kosovo, visiting troops and learning more about the U.S. role in the Balkans.

The Madingley American Cemetery, located in the United Kingdom, just outside of the city of Cambridge is the final resting place for more than 3,800 American Service men and women who died in World War II.

Did you know there are over 23 million United States veterans still living today and more than 25 million who are no longer with us? Did you know more the 621,000 Americans gave their lives in battle?

Happy Veterans Day to all of those who are serving and who have served! Maj. Kristi Beckman is the Chief of Social Media for European Command Public Affairs