Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg commemorated the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings and the Normandy invasion on Thursday.
The “Saving Private Ryan” star and director visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France this week to take part in an event honoring American soldiers who died in Europe during World War II.
D-Day was the largest land, sea and air invasion in history that took place on June 6, 1944, into Nazi-occupied Europe and marked the day when Allied forces turned the tide of World War II.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden also attended the ceremony and met with veterans.
From “Saving Private Ryan”From “The Longest Day” to “The Longest Day,” films to watch on the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings
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Tom Hanks says he has 'absolute, 100% confidence in the American people'
Speaking to CNN from Normandy, Hanks, 67, reflected on the anniversary and America's entry into the war.
“I have absolutely 100 percent faith in the American people's concept of what is right and what is wrong,” the self-described amateur historian said.
Looking back on filming the 1998 war movie, Hanks said the “glamorous” part of moviemaking has certainly worn off.
“Of course, as actors, there are moments when you're just acting, but there are also moments when you're there to capture the truth – being cold, wet, scared, enduring huge noises for long periods of time,” he said. “And that's our job as amateur historians too, because, for better or worse, the film is a record that has to accurately reflect the atmosphere of that day, and I'd like to believe we did that.”
A look back at D-Day:Why the World War II invasion still matters on its 80th anniversary
Hanks then reflected on the state of American democracy and the country's efforts to become a “more perfect union.”
“I think there's always reason to be concerned about the short term, but I'm looking at the long term,” he said. “I think we're inevitably going to move toward a more perfect union.”
He continued: “I will always believe in the United States of America.”
Hanks and Spielberg stopped to take photos with Sen. Ted Cruz on Thursday, with Cruz sharing a photo of him and the “Forrest Gump” actor.
“Just ran into Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks – two brilliant storytellers who beautifully chronicled the incredible heroism of the Greatest Generation,” Cruise wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Hanks has been a vocal supporter of Biden in the past, narrating ads for the president in 2022 and appearing at the inauguration in 2021.
Contributor: Mike Snyder
