This week the 80th anniversary of D-Day will be commemorated.
American Airlines is hosting a trip that will take over 60 World War II veterans on a "Return to Normandy." The trip will allow them to commemorate the anniversary in Normandy on June 6.
This is likely one of the last opportunities for the veterans to mark the important milestone. More than 16 million Americans served in WWII. Only about 100,000 are still alive. Those participating in the trip range in age from 96 to 107.
Chief Operating Officer David Seymour hosted the veterans at American Airlines headquarters in Fort Worth before their big send-off to France. Seymour is an Army veteran. He addressed the crowd gathered for the send-off.
“We fly around this world today because of what you did 80 years ago."
Under a turbine-shaped dome, dozens of employees and volunteers waved American flags. Others gazed down on the spectacle from balconies overhead, watching as the World World II veterans were wheeled to the foot of a small podium.
Actor Gary Sinise also delivered some remarks. His foundation partnered with American Airlines to host the event, along with others. The veterans were given a special luncheon at American headquarters before their flight.
The American Airlines event marks the first time several of the veterans in attendance will return to their wartime roots, according to airline representatives. They will spend two days in Paris before taking a bus to Normandy, joined by a handful of students from various U.S. service academy schools like West Point and the Naval Academy.
Participants will visit key historical sites and attend concerts and special ceremonies while in France, according to the site for the event. The trip is at no cost to the veterans.
Sinise said it is important that younger generations not take for granted the freedoms that Americans enjoy and the price paid for freedom.
We do sometimes take that for granted,” he told reporters at American Airlines’ Skyview 8 building. “But our backs were against the wall 80 years ago, and we had only two choices — either win or lose. Thank God they won.”
The procession of veterans, many of them in wheelchairs, was a sight to see.
Later in the day veterans were met by a parade at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport prior to their chartered flight to Paris’ Charles-de-Gaulle. Family members and American Airlines employees whooped loudly from the sidelines upon the veterans’ entrance before taking a moment of silence to pray for the well-being of the veterans and their sacrifice.
WWII Veterans prepare to fly to France to commemorate the Normandy D Day landings.
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 1, 2024
The group of veterans, including one 107 year old, are being flown on a specially-chartered 787 Dreamliner from Dallas.
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Here they are arriving in Paris.
France is preparing for quite an extraordinary week. Here are US veterans arriving at Paris CDG airport ahead of commemorations of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Most of them are around 100 years old
— Sophie Pedder (@PedderSophie) June 2, 2024
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It's a wonderful way to start the week. God bless them all.
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