(NewsNation) — Friday marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II that helped lead to the defeat of Nazi Germany.
World War II veterans gathered in Normandy to honor those who gave their lives to end Nazi tyranny.
Among the heroes remembered was Henry Langrehr, an Iowa native who parachuted into Normandy at age 19 and later stormed the beaches during D-Day. He endured immense hardship, including time as a prisoner of war, and died five weeks ago at 100.
“At that young age, answering the call of service, sacrificing everything he could for a land of unknown,” Command Sgt. Maj. Evan Lewandowski told “Morning in America” from Normandy. “They didn’t have a real connection of belonging to it, but to do what they did and liberate the country, and the amazing sacrifice and heroic actions that took place.”
Lewandowski met Langrehr during last year’s anniversary of D-Day. The two connected and walked through Sainte-Mère-Église, where Langrehr shared memories of his time there during the war.
Nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, in the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes and vehicles to breach Hitler’s defenses in western Europe.
Of those, 73,000 were from the United States and 83,000 from Britain and Canada. Forces from several other countries were also involved, including French troops fighting with Gen. Charles de Gaulle. The Allies faced around 50,000 German forces.
A total of 4,414 Allied troops were killed, including 2,501 Americans. More than 5,000 were wounded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This photograph is believed to show E Company, 16th Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, participating in the first wave of assaults during D-Day in Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. (Chief Photographer’s Mate Robert M. Sargent, U.S. Coast Guard via AP, File) 
D-Day veterans Ken Hay, from left, Richard Aldred, Henry Rice, Jim Grant and John Dennet pose for a picture on Sword Beach following the Spirit of Normandy Trust service in Coleville-Montgomery, France, ahead of the 81st anniversary of D-Day on Friday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images) 
Dawn breaks over the Standing with Giants silhouettes, which create the For Your Tomorrow installation at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-Sur-Mer, France, ahead of the 81st anniversary of D-Day on Friday. (Photo by Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)