D-1 for this American veteran. At 100 years old, Harold Terens is preparing to marry Jeanne, his 96-year-old fiancé, in Carentan. A strong symbol for the man who landed on the Normandy beaches in June 1944.
Installed for a few days at the Château de Villers-Bocage in Calvados, Harold Terens is the happiest of men. This Saturday, June 8, 2024, he will marry his fiancée Jeanne.
It was a friend who works at the French embassy in Miami who recently told her: “Why don’t you come and get married in Normandy?” “Good idea”, he replied, and neither one nor two, he went to ask Jeanne for her hand, on one knee on the ground in the garage of his house.
It was at the Château de Villers-Bocage in Calvados that Harold and Jeanne settled down to prepare for the wedding. Spa, swimming pool, jacuzzi, cinema: everything is there to make your stay perfect.
Getting married in this castle is a dream come true. It’s incredible !
Jeanne Swerlin, fiancée of Harold Terens
For the event, the families of Harold and Jeanne made the trip. There are around thirty of them, settled here for a few days, including Harold’s three children and Jeanne’s three children.
“We are very happy to become one family, explains one of Harold’s daughters. It’s a magical moment for all of us. And seeing my father so happy with his new wife makes us all very happy.”
Harold and Jeanne take advantage of the fact that the camera is no longer fixed on them to kiss.
Jeanne and Harold took out their ceremonial clothes especially for us. Jeanne chose a pink dress, Harold, a blue suit. “My son bought it for me at Place des Vosges in Paris”, he tells us.
This is the craziest day of my entire life. Tomorrow I’m getting married.
Harold Terens, American veteran
On June 6, 1944, Harold Terens was 20 years old. He is a radio operator, based in England, responsible for communications between pilots and the mainland.
On June 6, we sent 60 planes, and only 30 returned. It was a very sad day.
Harold Terens, American veteran
A few days after the D-Day landings, he volunteered to pick up and bring back American soldiers released from stalags and prison camps. “They were in very bad condition. Some had been there for three years. Some were very young.” He will also return with German prisoners.
From this trip, he keeps “horrible memories of Normandy.”
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So, he decided to associate Normandy with the happiest day of his life.
Normandy is a really special place for me. This is the fourth time I’ve come.
Harold Terens, American veteran
Harold Terens fortunately has some of the best memories of Normandy. He came to the 50th anniversary of the Landings where he met Bill Clinton, then to the 70th anniversary where he met President Obama.
His last visit was on the 75th anniversary when the President Macron awarded him the Legion of Honor. He notably remembers that Melania Trump had hugged him.
At this mention, he reassures his future wife, Jeanne: “that was before I knew you”.