D-Day spirit of remembrance lives on, despite the pandemic

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Colleville-Montgomery,, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Colleville-Montgomery,, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Colleville-Montgomery,, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Ouistreham, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

Charles Shay, the 96-year-old native American from Indian Island, Maine, salutes during a D-Day ceremony in Carentan, Normandy, Friday, June 4, 2021. In a small Normandy town where paratroopers landed in the early hours of D-Day, applauds broke the silence to honor Charles Shay. He was the only veteran to attend the ceremony in Carentan commemorating the 77th anniversary of the assault that led to the end World War II. Shay was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

Henri-Jean Renaud, 86, poses outside the church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Normandy, Friday, June 4, 2021. Henri-Jean Renaud, 86, remembers D-Day like it was yesterday. He was a young boy and was hidden in his family home in Sainte-Mere-Eglise when more than 800 planes bringing U.S. paratroopers flew over the town while German soldiers machine guns were firing at them. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

Charles Shay, right, the 96-year-old native American from Indian Island, Maine,attends a D-Day ceremony in Carentan, Normandy, Friday, June 4, 2021. In a small Normandy town where paratroopers landed in the early hours of D-Day, applauds broke the silence to honor Charles Shay. He was the only veteran to attend the ceremony in Carentan commemorating the 77th anniversary of the assault that led to the end World War II. Shay was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Colleville-Montgomery,, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Ouistreham, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

A D-Day ceremony is reflected in a brass instrument in Carentan, Normandy, Friday, June 4, 2021. In a small Normandy town where paratroopers landed in the early hours of D-Day, applauds broke the silence to honor Charles Shay. He was the only veteran to attend the ceremony in Carentan commemorating the 77th anniversary of the assault that led to the end World War II. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Colleville-Montgomery,, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

People parade in WWII vehicles in Colleville-Montgomery,, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II.. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

Charles Shay, right, the 96-year-old native American from Indian Island, Maine, attends a D-Day ceremony in Carentan, Normandy, Friday, June 4, 2021. In a small Normandy town where paratroopers landed in the early hours of D-Day, applauds broke the silence to honor Charles Shay. He was the only veteran to attend the ceremony in Carentan commemorating the 77th anniversary of the assault that led to the end World War II. Shay was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

World War II history enthusiasts parade in WWII vehicles in Ouistreham, Normandy, Saturday June, 5 2021 on the eve of 77th anniversary of the assault that helped bring an end to World War II. While France is planning to open up to vaccinated visitors starting next week, that comes too late for the D-Day anniversary. So for the second year in a row, most public commemoration events have been cancelled. A few solemn ceremonies have been maintained, in the presence of dignitaries and a few guests only. (AP Photo/David Vincent)

Henri-Jean Renaud, 86, poses outside the church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Normandy, Friday, June 4, 2021. Henri-Jean Renaud, 86, remembers D-Day like it was yesterday. He was a young boy and was hidden in his family home in Sainte-Mere-Eglise when more than 800 planes bringing U.S. paratroopers flew over the town while German soldiers machine guns were firing at them. (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)