World War II Vet, 100, to Marry Near D-Day Beaches in France Where US Troops Landed

A veteran of World War II, first traveled to France as a 20-year-old US Army Air Forces corporal soon after D-Day. The couple, who were engaged to Jeanne Swerlin, greeted one other and exchanged high school lover kisses and handshakes as they talked.

Terens, a lively and sociable centenarian, is set to receive recognition from the French in June as they mark the 80th anniversary of their liberation from the Nazis. He intends to marry the active 96-year-old Swerlin in a city close to the beaches where US troops arrived.

Love Knows No Boundaries

World War II veteran Harold Terens 100, right, and Jeane Swerlin, 96, share a laugh as they speak during an interview, Thursday Feb. 29, 2024, in Boca Raton, Fla.
(Photo : AP Photo/ Wilfredo Leee)

Terens, 98, and Swerlin, 94, have inspired many with their enduring love story that transcends distance and time, presenting that love has no boundaries.

Their love story started in the lively neighborhoods of New York City, where they both spent growing up, each with particular memories of wartime challenges and victories. Swerlin, a Brooklyn native, reminisces about her high school days during World War II, when she dated soldiers and gathered souvenirs such as dog tags and knives.

Meanwhile, Terens, from the Bronx, joined the military in 1942 and was stationed in Great Britain as a radio repair technician for a fighter squadron. Their paths crossed in 2021, decades after their youthful adventures, thanks to the matchmaking efforts of Joanne Schosheim, the daughter of a mutual friend. Initially uninterested, Terens barely noticed Swerlin, still mourning the loss of his beloved wife of 70 years, Thelma. However, a chance dinner arranged by a persistent friend sparked a flame that neither could ignore.

"It was love at second sight," remarked their friend, Stanley Eisenberg, recalling the transformative dinner where Terens couldn't eat or speak, consumed by newfound emotions, according to Military News.

Terens, Swerlin's Journey

Even though they were older, the couple's love grew fast, leading to a proposal from Terens a few months back. Swerlin, filled with happiness, eagerly accepted, featuring the lasting strength of love.

Their upcoming wedding in June will be a meaningful celebration of love and life, taking place against a backdrop of historical importance. Embarking on a journey to Paris, they will be part of an exclusive gathering of World War II veterans, alongside Terens, getting recognition for their dedication.

Then, in the charming town of Carentan-les-Marais, they will exchange vows in a centuries-old chapel, a beautiful tribute to their lasting love story.

Mayor Jean-Pierre Lhonneur, who will officiate the ceremony, emphasized the profound connection between Normandy and the United States, citing the enduring presence of American flags in the region as a testament to the sacrifices made on D-Day.

The couple's story serves as an example that love, in its purest form, transcends time, age, and even the wounds of war as they get ready to start this new chapter of their lives together.

"Being in love is not just for the young. We get butterflies just like everybody else," Swerlin remarked with a laugh, epitomizing the timeless essence of their romance, Independent reported.