Normandy
Do I have to say anything other than "Normandy"? Even if you don't know much about the history of WWII, I think everybody knows about those famous beaches. I think I must be the luckiest flag on the planet because I had the honor to be at Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the landing there.
Sometimes humans talk about their whole lives moving in such a way so that they are at a certain place at a certain time. Well, I think I understand that. So many places I've visited, totally by accident, came into focus when I was held by the veterans who made history that day at Normandy.
If you've been reading my adventures you will remember that I flew over the island of Iwo Jima. That's where a huge battle in the Pacific Theater of WWII was fought. I also flew proudly in Pearl Harbor where the American participation in WWII began and on the deck of the USS Missouri where the final surrender of WWII took place. Now I'm in Normandy with the veterans, their families and thousands of people who may not have been alive at the time, but still benefit from the bravery and sacrifice on display that day.
Again, if you've followed my adventures, you know I have a special relationship with the Old Glory Honor Flight Organization in Appleton, WI. They took me on my first trip when they went to Vietnam. They have also welcomed me on several flights to Washington DC where I've had my picture taken with lots of veterans as they toured our nation's capital and the breathtaking Arlington National Cemetery.
The people from Old Glory Honor Flight really know how to take care of our elderly veterans. They are so good, in fact, they have a national reputation. When American Airlines decided to invite over a hundred WWII veterans to fly to France for the 80th anniversary activities they asked some of my friends to go along to be sure the veterans were takin care of. Just remember, the battle was 80 years ago and you had to be 18 to be a soldier, or at least you were supposed to be, so these people are at least 98 years old.
My friends loaded up the wheelchairs they always use when they take veterans to Washington DC and headed off to Ft. Worth, Texas where the American Airlines trip began. There was a wonderful banquet to welcome all of the veterans. I was even introduced so everyone knew my history and that they were very welcome to use me in any way that was appropriate during the journey. I was able to meet so many of them and have pictures taken or just a quiet moment. I don't think any other trip will be so emotional. We toured both the Suresnes American Cemetery, which is primarily a WWI cemetery near Paris and the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer near the coast. I even met a Medal of Honor winner who oversees the maintenance of the cemeteries. They are all just like Arlington. Beautifully maintained, peaceful and respectful.
In the pictures in the gallery you will see some of what happened during those few days. There were all kinds of festivities and speeches and parades. You can see in one shot a young French person dress up like a soldier. The French people still remember and appreciate the sacrifices Americans made during the war. They were incredibly helpful all along the trip including hundreds of people coming together to get the veterans to their hotels down the hill when the big buses got stuck in a narrow street. Another photo show girls dressed like girls dressed in the USO during the war when the soldiers had a few days away from the battles. You may also recognize a friend of mine from EAA Airventure dressed as she was when she built planes in Kansas during the war. You'll remember Connie and her bright red bandana. If you've never studied WII now is a great time to do that. There are hundreds of books and movies about the war. It was a huge thing. It's estimated that between 70 and 85 million people died. That would be kind of like a quarter of the people in the United States dying in around six years. The impact was felt all over the world.