World War II veterans fly from Atlanta to Normandy for 78th anniversary of D-Day
A group of World War II veterans touched down in Normandy on Thursday ahead of next week’s 78th anniversary of D-Day.
For many of the veterans, this marks the first time they have returned to France since June 6, 1944.
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Delta Air Lines and Best Defense Foundation partnered to fly the group out of Atlanta to Normandy Wednesday night.
They arrived in France to a warm welcome from France officials and U.S. Ambassador Denise Campbell Bauer.
“Three generations have grown up since the landings took place,” said Donnie Edwards, founder and president of the Best Defense Foundation. “Yet, 78 years on, today is just as important as the first anniversary. We thank these veterans for their service, and the freedom for which they fought.”
During their stay, some of the veterans will receive the French Légion d’honneur, the highest French order of merit. There will also be parades and commemorative parachute jump as part of the week-long festivities.
“Delta is privileged to have played our part in bringing these brave veterans back to Northern France with members of their families for this special week of remembrance,” said Bob Somers, Delta’s S.V.P. of Global Sales.
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D-Day remains the largest invasion by air, land and sea in history and signaled the significant turning point for the Allied Forces in World War II.
Over 160,000 Allied troops that took part in the invasion, including 73,000 Americans. It’s estimated that 4,500 Allied forces died in the invasion. More than 2,000 Americans were killed at Omaha Beach, alone.
The battles in Normandy continued for another three months.
The US Department of Veteran Affairs keeps a record of living WWII veterans. According to 2021 statistics, 240,329 veterans are alive, including 4,582 veterans in Georgia.
