Uncle Charlie

Charles Payne, great-uncle to President Barack Obama takes his seat in the front row before the start of ceremonies marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day at the National American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville sur Mer, France, Saturday, June 6, 2009. (AP Photo)

(Normandy) -- President Obama got to spend some time with his great Uncle Charlie Payne today at the 65th anniversary commemorating D-Day in Colleville sur Mer, France.  The two men met before the ceremony and according to Senior Advisor David Axelrod, the President "was thrilled" and "grateful" to spend that time with his uncle, "knowing that these opportunities may not come again."  Mr. Payne is the brother of the President's maternal grandmother.  While he didn't participate in the Normandy landing, he was part of the unit that helped liberate Buchenwald Concentration Camp during WWII. 
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