U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus converses with a World War II veteran at a ceremony to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Utah Beach, June 5, 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, June 6, 1944. 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, June 6, 1944. The commemoration, which includes ceremonies for the over 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.