PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN hugs World War II veteran as First Lady Jill Biden looks on (White House photo).

At the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of Europe that led to the end of Nazi tyranny, President Joe Biden promised that the United States would continue to standby Ukraine in its struggle with Russia.

“To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators is simply unthinkable,” he said. “If we were to do that, it means we’d be forgetting what happened here on these hallowed beaches.”

Biden was speaking Thursday at the site of the June 6, 1944 landing of Allied troops – principally American, British and Canadian – on the shores of Normandy in France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the landing had “saved Europe” and both presidents drew parallels between German aggression of four generations ago and Russian actions today.

Speaking of the American soldiers who landed on the beaches under enemy fire, he said, “Let us be worthy of their sacrifice.”

Attending the ceremonies were about 24 American veterans of the European theater in World War II. The president and wife Jill Biden greeted them, telling one “you saved the world.”

Starliner capsule hooks up with ISS

SUNI WILLIAMS enters the International Space Station from the Starliner capsule (NASA photo).

Two astronauts – Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams – from the Boeing Starliner space capsule – are on the International Space Station after docking early Thursday morning.

“Great place to be,” said Willmore. “We’re looking forward to staying here for a couple of weeks and getting things done in Starliner that we need to get done. We’re on station, ready to work.”

The journey was troubled by helium leaks, which NASA says have been repaired.

Starliner was lifted into orbit by a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, after two previous attempts to launch had to be scrubbed.

The astronauts from Starliner are expected to remain at the ISS for about a week.

Dodgers prevail in Pittsburgh, 11-7

Hammering three home runs, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 at PNC Park on Thursday. Freddie Freeman hit a three-run home in the first inning. Mookie Betts hit another three-run blast in the fifth and Teo Hernandez a solo shot in the same inning.

The Blue Crew built an 11-4 lead after six innings, but the Pirates rallied in the eighth on a three-run homer by Oneil Cruz to make the score more respectable. Dodger starter Walker Buehler was roughed up early, giving up seven hits and four runs – three of them earned – in three innings. The win went to Michael Grove (3-2), who pitched two innings, yielding one hit and striking out three batters.

With the win, the Dodgers are 39-25, still in first place in the National League West. The Dodgers will be in New York on Friday to play the Yankees, the National League West leaders (45-19).

The Los Angeles Angels are idle, facing the the Houston Astros on Friday after sweeping three games from the San Diego Padres.

Weather: Just a little bit cooler

Temperatures in our West Orange County area are expected to get slightly cooler in the next few days.The forecast for Friday calls for a daytime high of 74 and an overnight low of 62. That should drop to 72 (62) on Saturday and Sunday. Monday may warm slightly to 73 (60). We will have morning clouds and afternoon sun Friday through Sunday and partly cloudy skies on Monday.