100-year-old WWII veteran ties the knot with 96-year-old sweetheart by D-Day shores

A heartwarming love story unfolded near the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, France, as a 100-year-old World War II veteran, Harold Terens, and his 96-year-old sweetheart, Jeanne Swerlin, tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at the town hall of Carentan. The couple, both New York City natives, had been dating since 2021 and decided to take the plunge into marriage.

The wedding, which took place just two days after the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, was a sight to behold as onlookers, some dressed in WWII-era clothing, gathered to wish the couple well. A pipe and drum band provided sweet serenades as the couple exchanged vows, with Carentan’s mayor officiating the ceremony.

Despite the fact that the wedding was not legally binding, the couple embraced the symbolic nature of the ceremony and shared a toast with the crowd outside, expressing their wishes for peace in the world and the end of conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The newlyweds were later honored guests at a dinner at the Elysee Palace in Paris, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and President Joe Biden.

Terens, who served as a radio repair technician during the war, shared stories of his time in service, including the harrowing experiences of D-Day. The couple’s affection for each other was evident throughout the day, with Swerlin declaring Terens as the “greatest kisser ever” before sharing a passionate embrace.

Their love story serves as a reminder that love knows no age and can blossom in the most unexpected of places, even near the historic battlegrounds of World War II.