[custom_adv] "They won back this ground for civilization," President Trump said of the Allied troops who took part in the massive D-Day invasion 75 years ago today. Trump stood on a stage near Omaha Beach in northern France, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders who thanked U.S. veterans and their allies for preserving liberty. [custom_adv] The commemoration in Normandy, France, marks the 75th anniversary of the massive amphibious invasion in which more than 150,000 U.S., British and Canadian troops forced their way onto France's shores to bring the fight to Adolf Hitler. [custom_adv] They were supported by nearly 7,000 naval vessels and more than 11,000 aircraft in one of the most important operations of World War II. [custom_adv] More than 160 World War II veterans sat in rows on a red-carpeted stage during the ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. [custom_adv] "You are the pride of our nation, you are the glory of the republic, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts," Trump told the veterans. [custom_adv] The U.S. president told the stories of several veterans, including former Army medic Ray Lambert, 98, who sat on the stage behind him as Trump recounted Lambert's bravery and fortitude while serving in the 16th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, known as "The Big Red One." [custom_adv] Both Lambert and his brother, Bill, survived a day that began with the massacre of thousands of U.S. soldiers on the beaches, the victims of artillery and intense German machine gun fire. Ray Lambert is credited with saving at least 15 men. [custom_adv] Although wounded himself, he repeatedly pulled men out of the water and to safety. He stopped only when a landing craft's ramp broke his back, forcing him to crawl back onto the sand. [custom_adv] "Ray, the free world salutes you," Trump said, leading a long round of applause. Both Trump and Macron walked over to Lambert to shake his hand. [custom_adv] They included dozens of men who landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944.