Pool Reports of June 6, 2024

Out of town pool report #1: Motorcade

Good morning from Paris and our day trip to Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.

Motorcade is rolling from RON at 08:01 for Orly airport and AF1.

Pool has not seen POTUS or FLOTUS this morning.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President via motorcade en route to Paris-Orly Airport:

Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
Secretary John Kerry
Denise Bauer, Ambassador of the United States to France and Monaco
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
Ashley Williams, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of Strategic Outreach
Ethan Rosenzweig, Acting Chief of Protocol of the United States
Mike Carpenter, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Europe
Megan Rooney, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #2: Orly airport

Motorcade pulled up beside AF1 at 08:32. POTUS was climbing steps as pool van arrived. We watched him from a distance go up steps alone, turning and waving at the top.

No signs of protests on route to airport, just clusters of people at intersections holding up their phones.

We are in small AF1

Wheels up imminently

Out of town pool report #3: Caen Carpiquet Airport

Wheels up Orly at 08:52

Wheels down Caen at 09:36 after uneventful flight.

From the White House:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Air Force One en route to Caen Carpiquet Airport:

Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
Secretary John Kerry
Annie Tomasini, Assistant to the President & Deputy Chief of Staff
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Karine Jean-Pierre, Assistant to the President & Press Secretary
Ben LaBolt, Assistant to the President & Director of Communications
Ryan Montoya, Assistant to the President & Director of Scheduling & Advance
John Kirby, Assistant to the President & National Security Communications Advisor
Mala Adiga, Deputy Assistant to the President & Director of Policy & Projects for the First Lady
Ethan Rosenzweig, Acting Chief of Protocol of the United States
Megan Rooney, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Presidential Speechwriter
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #4: Marine one

POTUS emerged with FLOTUS.at 0945. She is in black with high heels and he wears a smart navy suit, with Aviators. They walked hand in hand down the steps after waving from the top and then headed to Marine One.

They boarded together and greeted the pilots.

Wheels up shortly. Pool is in an Army Chinook named 'Big Windy.'

Out of town pool report #5: Normandy American Cemetery landing zone

Marine One wheels down at 10:13 (all times local).

POTUS (Copoolers tell me the suit is black btw) emerged a couple of minutes later holding both rails of the steps before FLOTUS followed. He helped down the last step.

We are now headed to the American cemetery. Background below.

The flight in took us over Normandy's farmland, edged by small lanes and hedgerows, and then briefly out to the water landing behind Omaha Beach where two naval vessels can be seen offshore.

At this time on D-Day amphibious DD Sherman tanks had begun coming ashore amid intense fighting on Juno Beach. The Allies progress on Gold Beach was pulling German attention away from Omaha, which was also gripped by fierce clashes.

The White House sends the following info on the next event:

U.S. Ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery

President Biden will participate in a ceremony to honor the 80th anniversary of Operation Overlord "D-Day" landings, which ultimately led to the liberation of the rest of France and all of Nazi-occupied Europe, and the heroism of American and Allied service members who risked their lives and – for many – made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and democracy.

Background on Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

Following World War II, the U.S. government consolidated temporary graves into permanent cemeteries, including the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, which comprises 172.5 acres of land in Colleville-sur-Mer that France granted to the United States in 1956. The cemetery sits on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach and contains the graves of 9,387 U.S. military casualties, many of whom lost their lives on D-Day, and the names of 1,557 service members inscribed on the Walls of the Missing. Rosettes on the Walls of the Missing mark the names of remains that have been recovered and identified. The U.S. Department of Defense continues efforts to locate the missing to this day.

The cross-shaped cemetery includes ten grave sections, five on each side of the main (east-west) mall. U.S. servicemen and women lie beneath precisely aligned headstones of white Lasa marble. The burials are not separated by rank, so officers and enlisted men are interred side-by-side. Within these sections there are 307 unknown personnel, three Medal of Honor recipients, and four women. Forty-five sets of brothers are commemorated or buried in the cemetery. A father and son are also buried alongside each other.

At the far end of the cemetery, opposite the memorial, granite statues of allegorical figures stand at either end of a small hemicycle. The statue of Columbia, representing the United States, holds an eagle. On the other side, the statue of Marianne, representing France, holds a rooster. Both hold olive branches, a symbol of peace.

The memorial area is organized around a 22-foot bronze statue, "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves," a reminder of the youth and heroism of those who stormed the beaches below. Facing west at the memorial, the reflecting pool is in the foreground. Beyond are two flagpoles where the American flag flies daily and the burial area with a circular chapel. The mosaic ceilings of the chapel depict America blessing her sons as they depart by sea and air, and a grateful France bestowing a laurel wreath upon the American dead.

The White House sends the following:

Traveling with the President and the First Lady aboard Marine One en route to Normandy American Cemetery Landing Zone:

Secretary Antony Blinken, Secretary of State
Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
Anthony Bernal, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the First Lady
Jacob Spreyer, Special Assistant to the President & Personal Aide to the President

Out of town pool report #6: David Muir interview.

From the White House:

The President taped an interview with ABC's David Muir in Normandy, France. The interview will air on Thursday, June 6.

Meanwhile pool headed to the meet and greet event

White House pool report #7: POTUS meets D-Day veterans

POTUS and FLOTUS are in a small glass-backed gazebo, which looks out on Omaha Beach, meeting veterans one by one. The Stars and Stripes and the French tricolor frame the historic view.

Each veteran is announced in turn, brought up by an active service member. Those that can, stand from their wheelchair. The president offers a salute to some and a handshake to all. They each pose for a photograph. FLOTUS props one or two up with a helping hand.

'Thank you so much,' POTUS says and hands over a command coin that he says he had made up specially for this D-Day commemoration.

'Don't get old,' said another to him as he settled back down in his wheelchair.

'A great honor, I mean it, seriously,' he says to the next veteran in an Army jacket, who grips the presidential hand tightly.

'Good move man,' says POTUS as his guest drops back down into his wheelchair.

Bill Jenner is the next veteran announced. He says his home town is Orlando when POTUS asks.

At one point FLOTUS keeps things moving along. 'Joe,' she says bringing him back to the center of the gazebo after he drifted to one side to talk briefly to an aide, who appears to be taking notes about each meeting.

'Thanks pal,' says POTUS to one.

'Can I borrow some of your hair?' he jokes with the next man, who has thick white curls under a World War Two veterans cap.

'The greatest generation ever man,' he says to his next guest, adding he couldn't believe he was 102.

Another veteran in a USAF cap is 104. (Possibly his cap reads: 446th Bomb Group)

'You saved the world.' He says this to the next man holding his arms, and bending his knees to look into his eyes from close range.

Pool spotted the following as we moved into position:

Sens Bill Cassidy
Marsha Blackburn
Gary Peters
Jack Reed
Rep Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Steve Scalise

The White House sends along the following:

President Biden is meeting with U.S. veterans who landed on the shores of Normandy beaches, their caretakers, and Active-Duty U.S. service members.

Out of town pool report #8: D-Day veterans plus Hanks and Spielberg

One of the veterans says his birthday is Saturday.

'We gotta sing happy birthday,' says POTUS, before turning to the pool

'And the press had better damn well join...'

An enthusiastic round of Happy Birthday follows for what sounds like 'Jim.'

POTUS does furniture moving, shifting the flags to better frame the next photo.

'i like the French but I like the American flag better,' he says.

'President Biden it is an honor to meet you,' says the next veteran, a former Ranger.

Pool is moved to next event at 1200 as POTUS continues greeting veterans.

As we leave we spot Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg chatting just outside the gazebo. Sen Ted Cruz also cornered Spielberg for a chat

Out of town pool report #9: POTUS remarks

Pool is holding just beside the open air stage for POTUS speech. It looks like we are a few minutes behind schedule but nothing major.

The speech is being livestreamed so pool will endeavour to bring extra color and detail where possible.

Out of town pool report #10: in the meantime- Challenge coin

From the White House:

In honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, President Biden commissioned a challenge coin to honor those who served and their families.

The coin features:

* An image of troops approaching the beaches of Normandy and B-17 aircraft flying overhead.

* The number 9388 etched in the sand, represents the number of Americans who remain in Normandy to this day and lie at rest in the cemetery.

* A quotation: "They also serve who only stand and wait" is a line from Milton often used by President Biden to encapsulate the service and sacrifices of military families.

* The Presidential Seal adorned with a blue star and a gold star references the service of military families.

President Biden coined World War 2 veterans he met with prior to the start of the ceremony, all of whom are D-Day survivors.

Out of town pool report #11: program starting

POTUS walked past a guard of honor with French and American troops bearing French and US flags at 13:16. He is accompanied by FLOTUS, Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron.

Just before they passed, they paused and a US WWII flight of planes roared overhead.

They are taking the places on the stage as have the anthems.

The speech will be livestreamed.

Behind us the formal part of the program is getting under way with the story of D-Day being told on giant video screens.

Some numbers for you:

Biden met 41 veterans of the Normandy campaign

Of those 33 were here on D-Day itself.

Total number of WWII veterans here is 180

Out of town pool report #12 : 2 min warning to potus

[APP Note: No aditional text was included in this report.]

Out of town pool report #13: Speeches

POTUS began speaking at 14:01

Ended at 14:17

There was a big round of applause for the line: 'Isolationism was not the answer 80 years ago, and it's not the answer today.'

And for lines in support of Ukraine. 'We will not walk away.'

Several thousand veterans, service personnel and dignitaries are seated in rows under the warm June sun. The Bidens and Macrons are in the center of the stage, surrounded by the last D-Day veterans,.many of them in wheelchairs.

Behind them is a 22ft sculpture 'The spirit of American Youth Rising from the waves' at the center of a semicircle of neoclassical square columns.

A giant French tricolor and the Stars and Stripes flies at the back of the audience.

Macron spoke before POTUS, paying tribute by name to some of the veterans seated behind him. Macron rubbed his eye and put his hand on his heart at the end as he prepared to present the Legion d'Honneur to 11 veterans.

POTUS appeared to be dabbing his eyes at times.

With each award, applause rippled through the audience. After Macron pinned the medal to the chest of each veteran, and kissed them on either cheek, POTUS stepped forward to shake hands and congratulate them.

Lloyd Austin, secretary of defense, starts speaking at 13:51.

It is getting hot. Sen Kyrsten Sinema is in the fifth row of the audience holding a paper program over her head.

Out of town pool report #14: wreath laying

Pool is positioning for the wreath laying.

After the speeches, Taps was played. The Bidens and Macrons turned around to face the veterans behind them.

After a gun salute, four F-35s roared overhead in the missing man formation, one plane launching itself vertically into the heavens.

Out of town pool report #15: veterans names and details

The White House sends the following details about the veterans that met POTUS:

President Biden met with more than two dozen U.S. veterans who landed on the shores of Normandy beaches and served in other theaters, their caregivers, and Active-Duty U.S. service members.

In alphabetical order —

1. Mr. Charles Baldwin (New Mexico): Mr. Baldwin enlisted in the Army Air Corps while a student at the University of New Mexico and served as a fighter pilot in the 23rd Fighter Squadron, 9th Air Force, which was known as the "Flying Hawks." His squadron earned the Distinguished Unit Citation in September 1944 for missions flown from England and forward bases in France that supported the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.
2. Mr. Edward L. Berthold (Illinois): Mr. Berthold enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 and trained as a B-24 Bomber pilot. He served in the 702nd Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. His third combat mission was on June 6, 1944, when he co-piloted a sortie to disable a bridge near Saint-Lo, to prevent Nazi reinforcements from reaching the beaches. In total, he flew 35 missions in only two months.
3. Mr. Floyd Blair (Alabama): Mr. Blair graduated with an electrical engineering degree from Georgia Tech while a part of the Reserve Officer Training Corps and served in the 507th Fighter Squadron, 404th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. He flew a P-47 Thunderbolt under the name "Ramblin' Wreck." On June 6, 1944, Mr. Blair flew in two support missions across Omaha Beach as the Allied invasion began. He was promoted to Captain in January and flew his 100th and final combat mission in April 1945.
4. Mr. Donald Cobb (Indiana): Mr. Cobb enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Murphy, which was assigned to cover the section of Omaha Beach where the 29th Infantry Division landed. The USS Murphy provided fire support for troop transports for more than a week, repelling Nazi forces firing from land and sea.
5. Mr. Vaughn Collicott (Wisconsin): Mr. Collicott enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served on the USS Meredith. On June 6, 1944, he provided transport and gun support to troops landing on Utah Beach. After D-Day, he served in the Pacific and was in Guam when Japan surrendered.
6. Mr. Dominick Critelli (Italy, New York): Mr. Critelli served in 378th Infantry Regiment, 479th Field Artillery Regiment, supporting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. He landed in Normandy and fought during the Battle of the Bulge.
7. Mr. Sydney ("Sid") Edson (New York): Mr. Edson served in the 491 Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. On D-Day, he was a radio operator and gunner in a B-24 "Liberator." He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.
8. Mr. Robert ("Bob") Gibson (New Jersey): Mr. Gibson was drafted into the United States Army in March 1943 and assigned as a M4 High-Speed tractor driver to the Battery A, 116th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 1st Army. On June 6, 1944, Mr. Gibson's unit landed in the second wave on Utah Beach. He later served in the Battle of the Bulge.
9. Mr. Marvin Gilmore, Jr. (Ohio/Massachusetts): Mr. Gilmore served in one of the few Black American combat units, the 458th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, until it was disbanded in April 1944. While Black Americans were disproportionately underrepresented in combat roles (3%), approximately 7% of Anti-Aircraft Artillery units created during WWII allowed Black soldiers to serve. Mr. Gilmore was assigned to a support unit that landed on Utah Beach. He has been awarded the French Legion of Honor.
10. Mr. Ralph Goldsticker, Jr. (Missouri): Mr. Goldsticker served in the 452nd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, serving as a bombardier on B-17 Flying Fortresses. On June 6, 1944, Ralph flew on two missions to attack Nazi coastal defenses in Normandy. Among his awards are the Distinguished Flying Cross, five air medals, and the French Legion of Honor.
11. Mr. Melvin "Mel" Jenner (South Dakota/Michigan): After Pearl Harbor, Mr. Jenner's National Guard unit was activated into the Army Air Corps and in August 1943 he joined the 542nd Bombardment Squadron, 391st Bombardment Group, 9th Air Force, flying 30 missions on the B-17 "Lady Satan." After a pilot in his squadron asked if he would fly a top-secret mission on June 6, he flew loops up and down the Normandy coast, photographing the invasion.
12. Mr. Frank Kohnke (Wisconsin): Mr. Kohnke lied about his age and forged his mother's signature to enlist in the U.S. Army on his 16th birthday. He served in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, known as the "5-0 Deuce," whose members jumped into Normandy on June 6, 1944, fought at the Battle of the Bulge, and were present at the capture of the Eagle's Nest at Berchtesgaden—where Adolf Hitler lived—in the Bavarian Alps. He was wounded twice while in battle.
13. Mr. James "Jim" Kunkle (Pennsylvania/California): Mr. Kunkle served in the 401st Fighter Squadron, 370th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force. He flew his first combat missions over Normandy in support of the D-Day invasion. He has been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, European Theater Medal, European Occupation Medal, French Legion of Honor and the Belgian Croix de Guerre. Mr. Kunkle was one of three American D-Day Veterans personally honored by President Barack Obama and French President Sarkozy in ceremonies at Normandy, France, in June 2009.
14. Mr. Henry Langrehr (Iowa): Mr. Langrehr served in the Company B, 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne. He trained as an engineer in explosives and demolition and his first day of combat was June 6, 1944, when he dropped into Normandy. He became a prisoner of war, but escaped after several months of captivity.
15. Mr. Jake Larson (Minnesota): Mr. Larson served as an operations sergeant, helping assemble planning books for V Corps' 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, the two divisions assigned to Omaha Beach on D-Day. He landed on Omaha Beach and was assigned to the G3 night shift as they went to 24-hour operations through the Battle of the Bulge.
16. Mr. Irving Locker (Minnesota/New Jersey/New York/Florida): Mr. Irving served in the 116th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, elements of which landed on Utah Beach on June 6 and 7, 1944, and fought through France, Belgium, and into Germany. The 116th participated in liberation of Gardelegen concentration camp. Mr. Irving has been awarded the French Legion of Honor.
17. Mr. James ("Jim") Lyons (Pennsylvania/Florida): Mr. Lyons enlisted in the U.S. Navy in March 1943 and became a coxswain on Landing Ship Tank 283. On D-Day, he and his crew were tasked with shuttling troops back and forth from ships to Utah Beach.
18. Mr. Anthony ("Tony") Malin (Pennsylvania/California): Mr. Malin was assigned as a pharmacist's mate and gunner to Landing Ship Tank 350 (LST-350), which transported tanks, vehicles, military equipment, and artillery to Utah Beach between June 6 and June 25, 1944. Mr. Malin was then assigned to the LST 816, which operated in the Pacific; participated in the capture of Iwo Jima in March 1945; and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto in May and June 1945.
19. Mr. Felix ("Moe") Maurizio (Massachusetts): Mr. Maurizio enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1943 and served on the USS Talladega as a communicator and navigator during the invasions of D-Day, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. During the D-Day operation, he landed troops on Omaha Beach. He was also on duty when news of Japan's surrender reached his ship and personally woke up Admiral Nimitz to relay the news.
20. Mr. Steven ("Steve") Melnikoff (Rhode Island/Maryland): Mr. Melnikoff served in 175th Infantry, 29th Infantry Division. He landed on Omaha Beach on June 7, 1944, and went into combat his first day. In mid-June, he was shot in the neck during the "hedgerow" fighting on Hill 108—"Purple Heart Hill"—outside of Saint-Lo, and later was injured during fight at Brest.
21. Mr. Joseph ("Ben") Miller (New Jersey): Mr. Miller joined the Army in May 1943, and was assigned to the 307th Airborne Medical Company, attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. On the evening of June 6th, 1944, Mr. Miller and 13 fellow medics landed in Normandy via glider, and went on to help wounded infantrymen and paratroopers. On June 6, they arrived in St. Mere Eglise as the first town liberated. During the Battle of the Bulge, he fought in the Ardennes.
22. Mr. George Mullins (Kentucky): Mr. Mullins served in the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. He landed in a glider on Utah Beach on June 7, 1944, and participated in the liberation of Saint-Come-du-Mont. After his first day of combat, he was the only member of his 13-person unit who was not killed or too injured to continue fighting. He has been awarded the Purple Heart.
23. Mr. Harold Radish (New York): Mr. Radish served in the 357th Infantry, 90th Infantry Division as a reconnaissance sergeant with the 90th Infantry Division.
24. Mr. Richard ("Dick") Ramsey (New York): After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mr. Ramsey quit school and worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard where he helped build the USS Missouri and USS Iowa. In 1943, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Navy, trained as a coxswain, and served on the USS Nevada—which had survived the Pearl Harbor attack—on June 6, 1944. The USS Nevada provided artillery fire off of Utah Beach and continued to engage off the French coast until June 15, 1944. Mr. Ramsey later participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and the Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands. For his service, he received the French Legion of Honor.
25. Mr. Richard ("Dick") Rung (New York): Mr. Rung served in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to Landing Craft Tank 539. On D-Day, her ferried troops and supplies to Omaha Beach, and returning to the USS Samuel Chase with U.S. casualties. In December 1944, he was assigned to the Pacific Theater, where he spent the rest of the war.
26. Mr. Jacob Ruser, Jr. (Pennsylvania): Mr. Ruser was a combat medic with the 4th Infantry Division, 12 Infantry Regiment, which landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He treated service members though France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany, including the Hurtgen Forest. He was awarded the French Legion of Honor Medal.
27. Mr. William Clay ("Bill") Toombs (Arkansas): Mr. Toombs served with the 861st Bombardment Squadron, 493rd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. On D-Day, he flew bombing missions over Nazi targets in Normandy.
28. Mr. Liliburn ("Bill") Wall (Pennsylvania): Mr. Wall served as a radio operator and aerial gunner on B-24s in the 453rd Bombardment Group (H), 733rd Bombardment Squadron, 8th Air Force. His crew was the first to fly 37 missions, receiving credit for 35 flights total. On June 7, his mission was to bomb bridges, roads, and numerous other targets over France.
29. Ms. Marie (Rosburg) West (Iowa, Colorado): Ms. West served in the U.S. Navy's service corps – the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). After completing boot camp and receiving training as an aviation mechanic, she waws assigned to a blimp squadron.
30. Mr. Onofrio ("Nono") Zicari (Nevada): Mr. Zicari served in the 5th Engineer Special Brigade that landed on Omaha Beach, where it was responsible for the eastern beaches where the 1st Infantry Division landed. After fighting for several days, he helped retrieve the bodies of fallen service members on the Normandy beaches. He later fought through France, Belgium, at the Battle of the Bulge (where his unit was attached to the 101st Airborne), Luxembourg, and Germany.

Out of town pool report #16: wreath details, Wilmington connection

Pool is set up in Plot J of the cemetery, in the north-west corner where cross-shaped headstones (and a few Stars of David), marked with US and French flags, stretch in all directions. Two uniformed service personnel are standing with a huge wreath, filled with red roses, plus white and blue blooms

The chosen grave is that of John S Greenfield from Delaware. (More details below)

POTUS climbed out of his Suburban at 14:58 with FLOTUS, who has changed out of the heels for a wedge shoe.

They walked about 30 yards across the grass up to the wreath and paused in a moment of reflection. POTUS made the sign of the cross and they both touched the wreath before reading the grave marker and pressing their fingers to the letters in silence.

Pool is hustled away at 1501.

From the White House:

President Biden is stopping at the grave of Private First Class John S. Greenfield, from Delaware, who enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 13, 1942 and served in the U.S. Army 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division during World War II. He was born April 23, 1914 in Talleyville, Delaware and resided in Wilmington, Delaware.

Out of town pool report #17: motorcade/second half of interview

Pool has been holding and is now on the move to the final public event of the day. Motorcade rolling at 16:31. we didn't see POTUS join motorcade.

We are told there are a lot of variables in play at this next ceremony so we'll see how this goes.

White House sends this:

The President and the First Lady taped an interview with ABC's David Muir in Normandy, France.

Out of town pool report #18: Omaha beach - and Zelensky sighting

The motorcade pulled up on the approach to Omaha beach at 16:39.

Our short ride took us down lanes lined with hedgerows, and displays of WWIi tanks and artillery pieces. US, Brit, Canadian and French flags were flying all along the route.

Pool is set up in roofed grandstand looking out across the beach - five naval vessels in the near distance.

There is a piano set up in front of a giant video screen. At the front, to our left, sit rows of veterans. On the right, on the other side of the main stage, are the dignitaries, including Macron in the middle. President Zelensky of Ukraine sits towards one end. Biden sits next to Macron (we think - we are a long way away).

A video is playing in French. Now a choir takes the stage, whistling.

Just a reminder - we are not expecting Biden to speak at this event.

Out of town pool report #19: more international ceremony

You are probably watching it all on TV. Suffice to say that the international ceremony was very French, complete with interpretive dancers, signboards that spelled out 'idéal' and 'courage', as well as parachutists and military bands.

There were oral histories read by actors and a version of 'Blood on the Risers,' the paratrooper song, interspersed with footage from D-Day.

The stage is edged with the flags of the nations that took part in D-Day, running from France, US, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium and then disappearing behind a roof. The European Union and German flags are featured towards the end, as the flagpoles reappear.

We are a long way from the dignitaries but can also see Justin Trudeau sitting in the front row.

The ceremony continues.

The White House sends along this background:

International Ceremony at Omaha Beach

Background

The International Ceremony at Omaha Beach is an annual event commemorating the Allied invasion of five designated landing sites—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches in Normandy—on June 6, 1944. Leaders from Allied countries honor the courage displayed and sacrifices made by the Allied Forces who participated in the invasion, particularly those who landed on Omaha Beach, which was the largest and deadliest of the sites.

Out of town pool report #20: Motorcade

Pool was pulled at 18:13 as Macron was wrapping his speech and the flyovers were beginning.

Motorcade rolling for landing zone at 18:37.

Out of town pool report #21: Marine One

Motorcade pulled up at landing zone at 18:44. POTUS had already boarded Marine One by the time we got in sight.

Pool is loading on 'Big Windy' for the hop back to Caen airport.

Wheels up imminently.

Out of town pool report #22: Caen Carpiquet airport

Marine One was wheels down at 19:09.

It pulled up by AF1 which is not far President Zelensky's Ukrainian plane, which is parked on the Tarmac here.

In fact Marine One stopped a little short, leaving POTUS and FLOTUS to walk about 100 yards. They emerged together and he helped her down the last step. He had two phones in his right hand. They both waved to pool before climbing steps. POTUS looked like he maybe stumbled slightly at top (please check video) - and checked the railing.

Wheels up imminently

Out of town pool report #23: Orly arrival - thumbs up

Air Force One was wheels up 19:23.

Wheels down Orly airport at 20:03.

POTUS and FLOTUS emerged together and walked down the steps at 20:21 each holding the rail.

At the bottom POTUS paused at a shouted, 'How was it?'

'Good,' he said and gave a thumbs up sign and headed for the Beast.

Motorcade rolling at 20:23.

Out of town pool report #24: FLOTUS departs

The motorcade drove for a couple of minutes across the apron and pulled up at another USAF C-32. The doors of the Beast opened for POTUS and FLOTUS to get out.

FLOTUS then boarded the plane.

Pool was in vans some distance away so couldn't quite see their goodbyes.

Motorcade rolling again.

Out of town pool report #25: RON and lid

Motorcade arrived RON at 21:05. Lid called at 21:08.

We drove through streets completely empty of traffic but with crowds of spectators videoing the motorcade.

Thanks to all my copoolers on this historic day, particularly the eagle-eared Tarini.

Goodnight.