World War II veteran, 100, marries 96-year-old bride near D-Day beaches

The collective age of the bride and groom was almost 200 years old. But World War II veteran Harold Terens and his sweetheart, Jeanne Swerlin, proved that love is forever by tying the knot Saturday on the landing beaches in Normandy, France.

Terens, 100, called it “the best day of my life.”

On her way to the nuptials, the 96-year-old bride-to-be said: “It's not just for young people, my love, you know? We have butterflies. And we also have a little action.

The couple, both widowed, grew up in New York: she in Brooklyn, he in the Bronx.

They were married in the elegant stone town hall of Carentan, a D-Day objective that was the scene of fierce fighting after the June 6, 1944 Allied landings that helped rid Europe of the tyranny of Adolf Hitler.

Like other towns and villages on the Normandy coast where nearly 160,000 Allied soldiers landed under fire on five code-named beaches, it is an effervescent center of remembrance and celebration of the 80th anniversary of the deeds and sacrifices young men and women that day, adorned with flags and banners, and with veterans feted like rock stars.

Terens went to France as a 20-year-old corporal in the United States Air Force shortly after D-Day. He enlisted in 1942 and, after his expedition to Britain, was attached to a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter unit as a radio repair technician.

On D-Day, Terens repairs the planes returning from France so that they can join the battle. He said half of his company's pilots died that day. Terens traveled to France 12 days later, transporting captured Germans and freed American prisoners of war to England. After the Nazi surrender in May 1945, Terens again helped transport freed Allied prisoners to England before returning them to the United States a month later.

On Saturday, as the swing of Glenn Miller and other vintage tunes echoed through the streets, well-wishers — some wearing World War II clothing — lined up a full hour before the wedding behind barriers outside the town hall, with a lively pipe. -and a drum group on hand to serenade the happy couple.

After declaring “yes” to the vows read in English by the mayor of Carentan, the couple exchanged rings.

“With this ring I marry you,” said Terens.

She laughed and gasped, “Really?”

Flutes of champagne in hand, they waved through an open window to the adoring crowd outside.

“To the good health of all. And to world peace and the preservation of democracy everywhere and the end of the war in Ukraine and Gaza,” Terens said as he and Swerlin clinked glasses and drank.

The crowd shouted “the bride!” ” – the bride! – to Swerlin, who wore a long, flowing dress in bright pink. Terens looked dapper in a light blue suit and pink pocket square.

The couple enjoyed a special wedding evening: they were invited to the state dinner Saturday evening at the Élysée with French President Emmanuel Macron and President Biden.

“Congratulations to the newlyweds,” Macron said, drawing cheers and a standing ovation during the toast praising French-American friendship. “[The town of] Carentan was happy to host your wedding, and we, your wedding dinner,” he told the couple.

The marriage was symbolic and not legally binding. Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonor's office said he was not authorized to marry foreigners who do not reside in Carentan, and that the couple, both Americans, had not requested legally binding vows. However, they could complete these formalities in Florida if they wish.

Honor likes to say that Normandy is practically the 51st state, given its respect and gratitude to Allied soldiers and the sacrifices of tens of thousands who never returned from the Battle of Normandy.

“Love is forever, yes, maybe,” the mayor said, referring to the newlyweds, although his comments also described many Normans' feelings toward veterans. “I hope they have the best happiness together.”

Jane Ollier, 73 – dressed in a 1940s dress that belonged to her mother, Louise, and a red beret – was among those waiting to catch a glimpse of the couple.

“It’s so touching to get married at this age,” Ollier said. “If it can bring them happiness in the last years of their life, that’s fantastic.”

Leicester writes for the Associated Press. AP journalists Sylvie Corbet in Paris and Terry Spencer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, contributed to this report.