U.S. Army Secretary John McHugh and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, commemorate the 68th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Carentan, France, Jun. 4, 2012. Distinguished guests from all over the world gather in Normandy each year as a remembrance to the military service members who fought in the effort to liberate Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II on June 6, 1944. The commemoration, which includes ceremonies for the more than 9,000 service members who gave their lives during the invasion and airborne operations, allows the countries involved to pay homage to those who fell 68 years ago.