Joe Biden causes 250 miles of traffic jams in Paris as he arrives for D-Day anniversary
An astonishing 250 miles of traffic jams were caused by the presidential convoy, which saw the western side of the French capital's ring road shut during rush hour
Biden met WWII veterans, including Jake Larson, at the commemorations(Getty Images)
Paris was brought to a standstill as President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill arrived in Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.[1] A staggering 250 miles of traffic jams were caused by the presidential convoy, leading to the closure of the western side of Paris's ring road during Thursday morning's rush hour.
Sections of three motorways, including the A13, were also shut down to allow President Biden and his multiple-car entourage to reach the D-Day commemorations.[2][3]
"This caused 250 miles of traffic jams," said a traffic control official in Paris. "There were plenty of angry motorists about." 
Douglas C-47 aircraft fly over as US President Joe Biden (2nd R), US First Lady Jill Biden (R), France's President Emmanuel Macron (2nd L) and his wife Brigitte Macron (L) walk past flag-bearers during the US D-Day ceremony(AFP via Getty Images)
After the traffic mayhem, Biden met with American D-Day veterans to mark the invasion's 80th anniversary. Veterans who could stand were assisted out of their wheelchairs to take photos with the president and first lady Jill Biden.
One veteran embraced Biden, while another saluted him. When Biden discovered it was one of the veterans' birthday, he led the crowd in singing Happy Birthday. The First Lady held onto the arm of another veteran, Robert Gibson, to help him stand next to Biden for a handshake.
The pair spoke to US WWII veteran Robert Bob Gibson(AFP via Getty Images)
"Don't get old," the centenarian quipped to the 81-year-old president, who was just a toddler when D-Day occurred.
Biden is poised to give a speech as leaders gather to mark the anniversary of 150,000 allied troops storming the beaches. In his address, Biden will draw parallels between Europe's struggle to defeat the Nazis in WWII and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine[5], as Russian President Vladimir Putin[6] intensifies his assaults.
For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US[7] .
Joe and Jill Biden speak with US WWII veteran Edward Bud Berthold during the US ceremony(AFP via Getty Images)
"Today, in 2024, 80 years later, we see dictators once again attempting to challenge the order, attempting to march in Europe," said National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. He added that "freedom-loving nations need to rally to stand against that as we have."
Sullivan further stated that the President will "be drawing a throughline from World War II through the Cold War and the stand up of the greatest military alliance the world[8] has ever known, the NATO alliance, to today, where we face once again war in Europe, where NATO has rallied to defend freedom and sovereignty in Europe."
Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have arrived to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day(AFP via Getty Images)
Biden is set to deliver his remarks at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, home to 9,388 American graves, most of which are marked by white Latin crosses.
The Walls of the Missing also lists 1,557 service members declared missing in action.
His speech will follow his morning meet-and-greet with WWII veterans who participated in the landings, including some who are over 100 years old.
The D-Day Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony will be graced by world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron.
Notably, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, who collaborated on the D-Day invasion film Saving Private Ryan, will also be in attendance.
References
- ^ D-Day. (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Paris's (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ D-Day commemorations. (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ WW2 veteran, 102, dies on his way to Normandy commemoration (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Ukraine (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Vladimir Putin (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ The Mirror US (www.themirror.com)
- ^ world (www.mirror.co.uk)