WWII Veteran, 100, Marries 96-Year-Old Sweetheart Near D-Day Beaches

A 100-year-old World War II veteran married his 96-year-old sweetheart on Saturday near the landing beaches in Normandy, France.

New York natives Harold Terens and Jeanne Swerlin were married at Carentan City Hall, where the famous World War II Battle of Carentan between the United States and Germany took place, two days only after the 80th anniversary of the landing.

“It’s not just for young people, my love, you know? We have butterflies. And we also have a little action,” said Swerlin, who wore a long pink dress.

The couple, both widowers, have been dating since 2021. Terens is from the Bronx while Swerlin is from Brooklyn.

Spectators, some wearing clothing dating back to the Second World War, lined up at the town hall an hour before the wedding to wish the happy couple luck on their big day. There was also a band of pipes and drums to provide gentle serenades.

Although their vows were read by Carentan Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonore in English, the couple still said “Oui,” which means “Yes” in French instead of “I do.”

Lhonor's office said the marriage was not legally binding, but a symbolic ceremony, since he cannot marry foreigners who do not reside in Carentan, and the couple did not request legally binding vows. .

After the celebration, Terens toasted the crowd gathered 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,” he said.

On Saturday evening, the newlyweds were guests of honor at a dinner at the Elysée in Paris, home of French President Emmanuel Macron, attended by Macron and President Joe Biden.

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops invaded five Normandy beaches occupied by Nazi Germany, ultimately leading to the end of the war.

D-Day, which cost the lives of 4,000 Allied soldiers, was the largest naval, air and land invasion in history.

Terens enlisted in 1942 and was sent to Britain the following year, as a radio repair technician for a four-pilot P-47 Thunderbolt fighter squadron. All of its first pilots died during the war.

On D-Day, he helped repair planes returning from France and said half of his company's pilots died that day.

The spunky seniors didn't shy away from expressing their affection for each other on their wedding day.

“He’s the biggest kisser ever, you know?” » Swerlin said before they kissed passionately.

With post wires