JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: And now to the heroics of another generation. Today marks the 56th anniversary of D-Day -- when U.S. and allied forces, many of them teenagers, came ashore trying to liberate Normandy, France from the Nazis. Veterans and their families are honoring fallen comrades in New Orleans today with a parade and the opening of the National D-Day Museum. CNN's Charles Zewe joins us with more -- Charles.</s>CHARLES ZEWE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, good afternoon from New Orleans. This is the parade -- one of the biggest military parades in 45 years in the United States -- honoring the opening of the new D-Day National Museum -- this a unit from the United States Coast Guard going by now. Hundreds of veterans are taking part in this parade today. Veterans of World War II, who 56 years ago today, were storming the beaches at Normandy. This museum -- the 70,000 square foot, $25 million museum -- honoring them and their sacrifices made for freedom and democracy. Ribbon cutting earlier this morning included officials of the museum -- along with U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen taking part in the ribbon cutting -- along with movie director Steven Spielberg, of "Saving Private Ryan" fame, and his leading actor, Tom Hanks, on hand. They have become so intricately involved in the construction of this museum. Riding down in the middle of the street in awe of this parade today -- there have been a number of veterans. There you see one of the trucks -- one of the Duscenham (ph) military vehicles -- been carrying the veterans -- people who, as I said, 56 years ago today were on the beaches in Normandy. Again, this museum set up to honor their memory -- getting a lot of thank you's and good-bye's as they roll down the streets of New Orleans at this ho...</s>UNIDENTIFIED SOLDIER: Hey, Charles!</s>ZEWE: Hey, how are you? That's the scene here in New Orleans. Charles Zewe, CNN Live, New Orleans -- Jeanne.</s>MESERVE: Thanks, Charles.
Veterans Parade Marks Opening of National D-Day Museum