More than 60 World War II veterans departed from Dallas on Friday, embarking on a journey to France. Their purpose is to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
A group of veterans, aged between 96 and 107 years old, is being flown by American Airlines to Paris for the commemoration.
Related posts
The group will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at Suresnes American Cemetery. They will also have the opportunity to visit the iconic Eiffel Tower and be part of the daily ceremony called le Ravivage de la Flamme, which pays tribute to fallen French service members at the Arc de Triomphe.
The next stop on their journey is the Normandy region, where they participate in wreath-laying ceremonies on Omaha and Utah Beaches. These beaches hold great historical significance as they were two of the landing sites for the Allied forces during World War II.
On June 6, 1944, a momentous amphibious operation took place at Normandy, with the objective of liberating Western Europe. A staggering total of 160,000 Allied troops participated, including 73,000 from the United States. Their mission was to shatter the formidable German defenses and pave the way for the eventual liberation of the region.
On D-Day itself, the Allies suffered a significant loss with a total of 4,414 troops killed. Among them, 2,501 were American soldiers. Additionally, over 5,000 soldiers were wounded in the intense battle.
Six Medal of Honor recipients from wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam are joining the group traveling from Dallas, with the aim of paying tribute to the World War II veterans.
During the war, there were also two Rosie the Riveters, symbolizing the courageous women who played a pivotal role in factories and shipyards.
Hundreds of thousands of women from Allied nations served in vital noncombat roles during the war, including codebreakers, ship plotters, radar operators, and cartographers.
In France, there are several ceremonies held to commemorate the day and express gratitude towards veterans. Despite their advanced age, fatigue, and physical challenges, some veterans make the arduous trans-Atlantic journey to participate in these events.
According to Philippe Étienne, the chairman of the commemoration organizer Liberation Mission, it is crucial that we remember and share our experiences with future generations.
