More than 60 World War II veterans flew from Dallas to France on Friday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings.
This heroic group, ranging in age from 90 to a staggering 107, was welcomed aboard an American Airlines charter flight by thousands of appreciative onlookers waving Stars and Stripes.
The group will take part in a busy multi-day trip that will include a wreath-laying ceremony at the Suresnes American Military Cemetery, a trip to the Eiffel Tower and visits to several historic World War II sites.
They will also take part in a daily ceremony known as the “Carnage of Fire” to commemorate French soldiers killed in action at the Arc de Triomphe.
The journey will culminate on June 6, the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings, with ceremonies at two of the sites of the Allied landings in Normandy, Omaha Beach and Utah Beach.
“We are honored to play a role in supporting these heroic veterans return home to Normandy,” said David Seymour, American Airlines chief operating officer and U.S. Army veteran. He said in a statement.
“This special journey will not only show our appreciation for these heroes and the sacrifices they made for our freedom, but we hope it will also highlight their incredible stories and help preserve their legacy for generations to come.”
The group traveling from Dallas includes six Medal of Honor recipients from the Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam wars who want to honor World War II veterans.
There are also two statues of “Rosie the Riveter,” representing the women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war.
On June 6, 1944, approximately 160,000 Allied soldiers, including 73,000 Americans, landed in Normandy in a massive amphibious operation intended to break through heavily fortified German defenses and begin the liberation of Western Europe.
A total of 4,414 Allied soldiers were killed on D-Day, including 2,501 Americans, and over 5,000 were wounded.
More than 9,000 American soldiers are buried in the Normandy American Cemetery.
With post wire
