IMAGES: Obama honors veterans on the 70th anniversary of D-Day

COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (MyFoxBoston.com/AP)— President Barack Obama paid tribute to over 150,000 veterans on the anniversary of D-Day Friday, telling attendees at a ceremony to "stop and think of these men" who sacrificed their lives 70 years ago.

World leaders joined President Obama at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial to honor surviving and deceased veterans during the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Obama also thanked the people of France for protecting the D-Day memorial and the over 60,000 American soldiers that remain in cemeteries around Europe.

"We come to remember why America and our allies gave so much for the survival of liberty at its moment of maximum peril," Obama stated.

The speech recounted the historic battle that marked the turning point during World War II. Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944. More than 4,000 Allied troops lost their lives, with over 2,000 American casualties. However, the Allied powers were able to capture the territory and gain victory.

Seven surviving veterans who fought Adolf Hitler's Third Reich and seven current military members who have served since the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 met with Obama before he made his speech, Associated Press reported.

The president also told stories of soldiers who lost their lives during the D-Day battle and said to the audience, "Whenever the world makes you cynical— stop and think of these men."

Obama's final remarks recognized current troops and veterans serving as the "9/11 generation of service members."

"Someday, future generations, whether 70 or 700 years hence, will gather at places like this to honor them," Obama stated. "And to say that these were generations of men and women who proved once again that the United States of America is and will remain the greatest force for freedom the world has ever known."

Cox Media Group