Normandy beaches largely empty on D-Day due to coronavirus: ‘It’s a June 6 unlike any other’

At daybreak on Saturday, Charles Shay stood lonesome without any fellow veteran on the very same beach where he waded ashore 76 years ago, part of one of the most epic battles in military historic that came to be known as D-Day and turned the tide of World War II.

Compared to last year, when many tens of thousands came to the northern French beaches of Normandy to cheer the dwindling number of veterans and celebrate three-quarters of a century of liberation from Nazi oppression, the coronavirus lockdown turned this year's remembrance into one of the eeriest ever.

“I am very sad now,” said Shay, who was a 19-year-old U.S. Army medic when he landed on Omaha Beach under horrific machine-gun fire and shells. “Because of the virus, nobody can be here. I would like to see more of us here,” he told The Associated Press.

Normally, 95-year-old Shay would be meeting other survivors of the 1944 battle and celebrating with locals and dignitaries alike, all not far from his home close to the beaches that defined his life.

“This year, I am one of the very few that is probably here,” he said, adding that other U.S. veterans could not fly in because of the pandemic.

When a full moon disappeared over land and the sun rose the other side over the English Channel, there was no customary rumble of columns of vintage jeep and trucks to be heard, roads still so deserted hare sat alongside them.

Still the French would not let this day slip by unnoticed, such is their attachment to some 160,000 soldiers from the United States, Britain, Canada and other countries who spilled their blood to free foreign beaches and fight on to finally defeat Nazism almost one year later.

“It’s a June 6 unlike any other,” said Philippe Laillier, the mayor of Saint-Laurent-Sur-Mer, who staged a small remembrance around the Omaha Beach monument. “But still we had to do something. We had to mark it.”

Charles Norman Shay, a D-Day veteran from Maine, salutes after laying a wreath during a D-Day 76th anniversary ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France on Saturday.
Charles Norman Shay, a D-Day veteran from Maine, salutes after laying a wreath during a D-Day 76th anniversary ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France on Saturday.


Charles Norman Shay, a D-Day veteran from Maine, salutes after laying a wreath during a D-Day 76th anniversary ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France on Saturday. (Virginia Mayo/)

The moment the sun broke over the ocean, the Omaha Beach theme from Saving Private Ryan blared across the sand for a few dozen locals and visitors dressed in vintage clothing.

The lack of a big international crowd was palpable, though.

The pandemic has wreaked havoc across the world, infecting 6.6 million people, killing over 391,000 and devastating economies. It poses a particular threat to the elderly — like the surviving D-Day veterans who are in their late nineties or older.

It has also affected the younger generations who turn out every year to mark the occasion. Most have been barred from traveling to the wind-swept coasts of Normandy.

Traipsing through waist-deep water, Allied forces dodge heavy fire while carrying heavy equipment on their deadly journey to the Normandy beaches on D-Day -- a day that saw one of the world's most gut-wrenching battles in history. The bloody invasion, where more than 9,000 Allied soldiers lost their lives, led to the liberation of France from Nazi occupation in World War II.
American soldiers crouch while tightly packed behind the bulwarks of a Coast Guard landing barge on D-Day. Just minutes later, they dashed through the surf and up the beach under the fire of Nazi defenders on June 6, 1944.
American soldiers crouch while tightly packed behind the bulwarks of a Coast Guard landing barge on D-Day. Just minutes later, they dashed through the surf and up the beach under the fire of Nazi defenders on June 6, 1944.
This stunning aerial photo captures hundreds of paratroopers in the sky above Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
This stunning aerial photo captures hundreds of paratroopers in the sky above Normandy, France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Bloody scenes would immediately follow the landings in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, where 156,000 Allied troops descended on northern France in an effort to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Baring severe wounds, men of the American assault troops of the 16th Infantry Regiment are attended to by medics after storming Omaha Beach during the invasion. The wounded soldiers are seen waiting by the chalk cliffs at Collville-sur-Mer for evacuation to a field hospital for further treatment.
Sitting in the cover of their foxholes, American soldiers of the Allied Expeditionary Force secure a beachhead during  initial landing operations at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. In the background amphibious tanks and other equipment crowd the beach, while landing crafts bring more troops and material ashore.
Sitting in the cover of their foxholes, American soldiers of the Allied Expeditionary Force secure a beachhead during initial landing operations at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. In the background amphibious tanks and other equipment crowd the beach, while landing crafts bring more troops and material ashore.
American troops clamber into a landing craft before hitting the beaches along France's Normandy coast in June 1944. The World War II operation was part of the massive Allied D-Day invasion to chase German forces out of France. An armada of landing vessels sits in the background under barrage balloons.
American troops clamber into a landing craft before hitting the beaches along France's Normandy coast in June 1944. The World War II operation was part of the massive Allied D-Day invasion to chase German forces out of France. An armada of landing vessels sits in the background under barrage balloons.
In this breathtaking shot, American soldiers can be seen waist deep in water, wading ashore under heavy machine gun fire from Nazi beach nests in France on June 6, 1944. This powerful shot was taken from a landing barge by a Coast Guard Combat photographer.
In this breathtaking shot, American soldiers can be seen waist deep in water, wading ashore under heavy machine gun fire from Nazi beach nests in France on June 6, 1944. This powerful shot was taken from a landing barge by a Coast Guard Combat photographer.
Plunging into the surf and wading shoreward while lugging heavy equipment, American troops make their way to Utah Beach during the historic D-Day in northern France on June 6, 1944. The Normandy Landings turned out to be the biggest and most important Allied amphibious operation of World War II.
Plunging into the surf and wading shoreward while lugging heavy equipment, American troops make their way to Utah Beach during the historic D-Day in northern France on June 6, 1944. The Normandy Landings turned out to be the biggest and most important Allied amphibious operation of World War II.
Under the fire of Nazi guns on the beach in southern France, Allied soldiers lay low on D-Day, June 6, 1944. One invader operates a walkie talkie radio directing other landing crafts to the safest spots for unloading their parties.
Under the fire of Nazi guns on the beach in southern France, Allied soldiers lay low on D-Day, June 6, 1944. One invader operates a walkie talkie radio directing other landing crafts to the safest spots for unloading their parties.
The faces of these brave U.S. paratroopers say it all as they fix their static lines for a jump before dawn over Normandy in France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
The faces of these brave U.S. paratroopers say it all as they fix their static lines for a jump before dawn over Normandy in France on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion in northern France. An aerial shot of the Allied Naval forces engaged in the Overlord operation of the landing at the Normandy beaches puts into perspective the scope of the invasion on June 6, 1944.
More than 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion in northern France. An aerial shot of the Allied Naval forces engaged in the Overlord operation of the landing at the Normandy beaches puts into perspective the scope of the invasion on June 6, 1944.
On D-Day, a swarm of Allied aircraft fill the sky as they make their way to France as part of the D-Day invasion.
On D-Day, a swarm of Allied aircraft fill the sky as they make their way to France as part of the D-Day invasion.
U.S. 101st Airborne Division troops gather around commander General Dwight Eisenhower (l.) while he gives them a pep talk prior to the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.
U.S. 101st Airborne Division troops gather around commander General Dwight Eisenhower (l.) while he gives them a pep talk prior to the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe.
Wading through the surf as they land at Normandy, U.S. enforcements make their way to the beach during the D-Day invasion that claimed the lives of more than 9,000 Allied soldiers on June 6, 1944.
Wading through the surf as they land at Normandy, U.S. enforcements make their way to the beach during the D-Day invasion that claimed the lives of more than 9,000 Allied soldiers on June 6, 1944.
Exhausted American assault troops lug heavy equipment onto the beachhead at Omaha Beach, on the northern coast of France, having traipsed through waist deep water on June 6, 1944.
Exhausted American assault troops lug heavy equipment onto the beachhead at Omaha Beach, on the northern coast of France, having traipsed through waist deep water on June 6, 1944.
At only 16 years old, a German soldier with his hands clasped over his head is taken prisoner with thousands of other Wehrmacht soldiers at Cherbourg, France, during the Allied Normandy invasion in June 1944.
At only 16 years old, a German soldier with his hands clasped over his head is taken prisoner with thousands of other Wehrmacht soldiers at Cherbourg, France, during the Allied Normandy invasion in June 1944.
Allied bombers drop explosives on Nazi installations while ground troops attack from the sea.
Allied bombers drop explosives on Nazi installations while ground troops attack from the sea.
German soldiers raise their arms as they surrender shortly after the Allied D-Day invasion in Quinville, France on June 9, 1944. The Normandy Landings led to the restoration of the French Republic and contributed to an Allied victory in World War II.
German soldiers raise their arms as they surrender shortly after the Allied D-Day invasion in Quinville, France on June 9, 1944. The Normandy Landings led to the restoration of the French Republic and contributed to an Allied victory in World War II.
A soldier clings to a small Nazi flag as he is captured.
A soldier clings to a small Nazi flag as he is captured.
American reinforcements jump into the ocean as they make their way to the beach on the coast of Normandy on June 23, 1944, during World War II.
American reinforcements jump into the ocean as they make their way to the beach on the coast of Normandy on June 23, 1944, during World War II.
Tracer fire from many different ships illuminates the night sky over the English Channel during the opening phase of D-Day, the Allied invasion of France.
Tracer fire from many different ships illuminates the night sky over the English Channel during the opening phase of D-Day, the Allied invasion of France.
American troops under fire find safety behind a concrete wall before moving over the crest of a hill at Utah Beach on June 9, 1944.
American troops under fire find safety behind a concrete wall before moving over the crest of a hill at Utah Beach on June 9, 1944.
In this aerial shot, plumes of smoke fill the sky as Allied troops go to war with Germany in Nazi-occupied France.
In this aerial shot, plumes of smoke fill the sky as Allied troops go to war with Germany in Nazi-occupied France.
U.S. troops proudly fly the American flag as they travel the English Channel on a barge en route to Normandy, France for the D-Day invasion.
U.S. troops proudly fly the American flag as they travel the English Channel on a barge en route to Normandy, France for the D-Day invasion.
Exhausted U.S. soldiers are helped onto the beach during the Nomandy invasion on June 6, 1944. The men reached Utah Beach, near Sainte-Mere-Eglise, on a life raft, after their landing craft was hit and sunk by German coastal defenses.
Exhausted U.S. soldiers are helped onto the beach during the Nomandy invasion on June 6, 1944. The men reached Utah Beach, near Sainte-Mere-Eglise, on a life raft, after their landing craft was hit and sunk by German coastal defenses.
A returning B-24 Liberator of the U.S. Eighth Army Air Force passes over part of the invasion armada as the boats steam across the channel toward the coast of Northern France, on June 6, 1944.
A returning B-24 Liberator of the U.S. Eighth Army Air Force passes over part of the invasion armada as the boats steam across the channel toward the coast of Northern France, on June 6, 1944.
Barrage balloons were used to protect against enemy air attack as more troops landed on beaches.
Barrage balloons were used to protect against enemy air attack as more troops landed on beaches.
American landing craft are beached on a Normandy shore to unload troops and supplies to back up the massive Allied advance against the Nazis.
American landing craft are beached on a Normandy shore to unload troops and supplies to back up the massive Allied advance against the Nazis.
An American medical corpsman gives candy to a wounded French child during the D-Day invasion at a beachhead dressing station.
An American medical corpsman gives candy to a wounded French child during the D-Day invasion at a beachhead dressing station.
Medics tend to wounded U.S. soldiers on Utah Beach during the attack on June 6, 1944.
Medics tend to wounded U.S. soldiers on Utah Beach during the attack on June 6, 1944.
A group of prisoners wait in the surf for transport boats that will take them to England.
A group of prisoners wait in the surf for transport boats that will take them to England.
Before serving their country in the deadly D-Day landings, American soldiers put on a brave face after loading their equipment and supplies onto a landing craft tank in England in June 1944.
Before serving their country in the deadly D-Day landings, American soldiers put on a brave face after loading their equipment and supplies onto a landing craft tank in England in June 1944.
Despite heading into battle, United States Rangers from E Company, 5th Ranger Battalion, on board a landing craft assault vessel look fearless in Weymouth harbor in Dorset, England on June 4, 1944. The ship was bound for the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy.
Despite heading into battle, United States Rangers from E Company, 5th Ranger Battalion, on board a landing craft assault vessel look fearless in Weymouth harbor in Dorset, England on June 4, 1944. The ship was bound for the D-Day landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy.
On D-Day, Navy, Army and Merchant Marine officers read the Daily News for information on the Allied Invasion in France on Wall Street and Broadway in New York City. "Invasion Begins" made the front page of the Daily News, the day of the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944.
On D-Day, Navy, Army and Merchant Marine officers read the Daily News for information on the Allied Invasion in France on Wall Street and Broadway in New York City. "Invasion Begins" made the front page of the Daily News, the day of the Normandy Landings on June 6, 1944.
This photo of a soldier in the surf at Normandy is one of the most celebrated photos of the Second World War. While under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire, an American solider charges through the water, making his way to the beach on the Normandy coast of France on June 6, 1944. It was later suggested that Huston Riley of Mercer Island is the soldier pictured in the famous shot by iconic war photographer Robert Capa.
His photo helped define the reality of D-Day and the soldiers who fought. This iconic photo taken by famed war photographer Robert Capa is believed to be of Huston Riley making his way through the surf on D-Day. In 2004, Huston Riley of Mercer Island posed with the famous photo that encapsulated the chaos and courage witnessed on June 6, 1944.
His photo helped define the reality of D-Day and the soldiers who fought. This iconic photo taken by famed war photographer Robert Capa is believed to be of Huston Riley making his way through the surf on D-Day. In 2004, Huston Riley of Mercer Island posed with the famous photo that encapsulated the chaos and courage witnessed on June 6, 1944.
An eerie shot of American invasion troops making their way to the shore through waist-deep water under heavy machine gun fire was captured from a vacated landing craft on the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944.
An eerie shot of American invasion troops making their way to the shore through waist-deep water under heavy machine gun fire was captured from a vacated landing craft on the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944.
Winston Churchill walks to Parliament in London, England to announce the D-Day landings in June 1944 during World War II.
Winston Churchill walks to Parliament in London, England to announce the D-Day landings in June 1944 during World War II.
Amongst the rubble, two children embrace each other as they watch an American Army jeep drive through the ruins of Saint-Lo in Aug. 1944. Little remained of the town, as almost 2,000 Allied bombers reduced it to rubble when they attacked German troops stationed there during Operation Overlord in June 1944.
Amongst the rubble, two children embrace each other as they watch an American Army jeep drive through the ruins of Saint-Lo in Aug. 1944. Little remained of the town, as almost 2,000 Allied bombers reduced it to rubble when they attacked German troops stationed there during Operation Overlord in June 1944.
A barrage balloon cruises overhead as a Rhino-Ferry undergoes a test trip before it is used in the landing operations at the Normandy coast of France in June 1944.
A barrage balloon cruises overhead as a Rhino-Ferry undergoes a test trip before it is used in the landing operations at the Normandy coast of France in June 1944.
This aerial view of the D-Day landings captures the deadly invasion below as thousands of Allied troops go into combat with German troops in Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944.
This aerial view of the D-Day landings captures the deadly invasion below as thousands of Allied troops go into combat with German troops in Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944.
Under heavy fire from German troops, American soldiers leap into the sea during the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944.
Under heavy fire from German troops, American soldiers leap into the sea during the D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France on June 6, 1944.
Amid the rubble, a group of American soldiers make their way through the remains of a damaged town in the wake of the D-Day invasion during World War II in northwestern France.
Amid the rubble, a group of American soldiers make their way through the remains of a damaged town in the wake of the D-Day invasion during World War II in northwestern France.
The Saskatchewan Regiment of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division were among the 14,000 other Canadian soldiers that served on D-Day. The troops are seen making their way onto Juno Beach on the outskirts of Bernieres-sur-Mer on June 6, 1944.
The Saskatchewan Regiment of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division were among the 14,000 other Canadian soldiers that served on D-Day. The troops are seen making their way onto Juno Beach on the outskirts of Bernieres-sur-Mer on June 6, 1944.
It was a very different scene at the White House as President Franklin D. Roosevelt smiled in the Oval Office on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
It was a very different scene at the White House as President Franklin D. Roosevelt smiled in the Oval Office on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
After the Normandy invasion, General Omar Bradley and Admiral Kirk sit and talk as they make their way to the shore on June 6, 1944.
After the Normandy invasion, General Omar Bradley and Admiral Kirk sit and talk as they make their way to the shore on June 6, 1944.
A Catholic chaplain conducts divine services on D-Day on a pier in Weymouth, England, for some of the first assault troops to be thrown into the invasion.
A Catholic chaplain conducts divine services on D-Day on a pier in Weymouth, England, for some of the first assault troops to be thrown into the invasion.
Wounded American soldiers are tended to by medics on a coast guard landing barge alongside an assault transport's sick bay in the English Channel on June 16, 1944.
Wounded American soldiers are tended to by medics on a coast guard landing barge alongside an assault transport's sick bay in the English Channel on June 16, 1944.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower gives the order of the day, "full victory, nothing else," to paratroopers in England the night before the first assault of D-Day, the Allied invasion of France. The Allied commander had assembled a vast invasion force: 155,000 troops, more than 5,000 ships and boats and 12,000 aircraft.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower gives the order of the day, "full victory, nothing else," to paratroopers in England the night before the first assault of D-Day, the Allied invasion of France. The Allied commander had assembled a vast invasion force: 155,000 troops, more than 5,000 ships and boats and 12,000 aircraft.
"Invaders Breach Nazi Defenses" headlined the front page of the Daily News on June 7, 1944, the day after the Normandy Landings.
"Invaders Breach Nazi Defenses" headlined the front page of the Daily News on June 7, 1944, the day after the Normandy Landings.
The American flag flies from a make-shift staff on a beach on the French Normandy coast on June 14, 1944 where Allied troops fought bitterly to push back the Germans. In the background, American troops push a captured German ammunition cart.
The American flag flies from a make-shift staff on a beach on the French Normandy coast on June 14, 1944 where Allied troops fought bitterly to push back the Germans. In the background, American troops push a captured German ammunition cart.
Following the Allied D-Day invasion of German-occupied Normandy in France, a German machine gun nest along the Atlantic Wall is captured by Canadian troops on June 8, 1944.
Following the Allied D-Day invasion of German-occupied Normandy in France, a German machine gun nest along the Atlantic Wall is captured by Canadian troops on June 8, 1944.
Plumes of smoke fill the sky as an Allied landings craft burns just off the shore during the D-Day invasion.
Plumes of smoke fill the sky as an Allied landings craft burns just off the shore during the D-Day invasion.
The RAF captured the deadly D-Day invasion below in this aerial shot on June 6, 1944.
The RAF captured the deadly D-Day invasion below in this aerial shot on June 6, 1944.
In the wake of the D-Day invasion, Allied troops unload vehicles and supplies from a landing ship and tank at the beachhead in Normandy, France.
In the wake of the D-Day invasion, Allied troops unload vehicles and supplies from a landing ship and tank at the beachhead in Normandy, France.
Armed soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division patrol an area near Juno Beach where they landed on D-Day, on the outskirts of Bernieres-sur-Mer.
Armed soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division patrol an area near Juno Beach where they landed on D-Day, on the outskirts of Bernieres-sur-Mer.
Peace after war: Beyond a car with a French flag in its grill, a cyclist and civilians in the distance walk toward the coast in Normandy, France after the D-Day invasion in 1944.
Peace after war: Beyond a car with a French flag in its grill, a cyclist and civilians in the distance walk toward the coast in Normandy, France after the D-Day invasion in 1944.
In the aftermath of D-Day, an abandoned German machine gun and ammunition sits on a rooftop following the historic 1944 invasion in France.
In the aftermath of D-Day, an abandoned German machine gun and ammunition sits on a rooftop following the historic 1944 invasion in France.

It did not affect Ivan Thierry, 62, a local fisherman who catches sea bass around the wrecks that still litter the seabed nearby. He was holding an American flag in tribute even before dawn.

“There is not nobody here. Even if we are only a dozen, we are here to commemorate,” he said.

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