President Joe Biden concluded his five-day visit to France with a poignant tribute at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial, a site that former President Donald Trump notably did not visit in 2018 due to inclement weather, via The Washington Post. The ceremony took place near Belleau, about 60 miles northeast of Paris, where Biden and First Lady Jill Biden laid a wreath to honor the American soldiers who fell during World War I.
The cemetery, located at the foot of Belleau Wood, contains the graves of over 2,000 U.S. troops, including 1,800 Marines who died in the fierce battles of the region, particularly during the summer of 1918 in Belleau Wood and the Marne Valley. The Bidens solemnly walked through the rows of white cross-shaped headstones, with the President pausing to make the sign of the cross before the chapel, reflecting the nation’s gratitude and remembrance for the fallen.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, President Biden emphasized the significance of the site and the sacrifices made by American soldiers. “America showed up to stop the Germans. America showed up to make sure that they did not prevail. America shows up when we’re needed, just like our allies show up for us,” he stated, reinforcing the theme of commitment and solidarity that characterized America’s military engagements, told AP News.
This visit also served as a subtle but stark contrast to Trump’s controversial decision to skip the visit to the same cemetery in 2018, a choice criticized by many as disrespectful to the military. According to a report by The Atlantic, Trump questioned the value of visiting the cemetery, reportedly calling the fallen soldiers “suckers” and “losers.” These comments, which Trump and his administration vehemently denied, were purportedly made because rain had grounded his helicopter, and arranging a motorcade at short notice was deemed unfeasible.
Biden’s tribute comes at a time when he is once again pitted against Trump in the upcoming November elections, and he has referenced the 2018 incident multiple times on the campaign trail. Reflecting on the importance of honoring military sacrifices, Biden expressed that dismissing such heroes as “suckers” and “losers” is deeply disqualifying for any leader.
The President’s visit to France not only marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings but also reaffirmed his dedication to acknowledging all facets of American military history, from World War II to the often overshadowed battles and sacrifices of World War I.