Battlefield Return // Normandy // D-Day 78
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- It's hard to believe it's been 3 years since we've been able to bring veterans back to #Normandy. This one had to be special, and it was the most amazing program we have ever done! We brought 29 #WWII #veterans to Normandy for the 78th anniversary of D-Day! Thanks to the help of #DeltaAirLines we were able to fly directly into Normandy! We were the only commercial flight ever, besides #AirForceOne, to fly into Normandy. Typically when we take veterans to Normandy, we have to first fly into #Paris and then drive for hours. It was incredible!
From the moment we arrived at #Deauville airport, the veterans were overwhelmed with the welcome they received. From the #watersalute to the hundreds of people who were there to greet them as they got off the airplane, they were so happy to finally be there. Each day was filled with special moments that were so powerful, not only for all of our veterans but for everyone who participated in this incredible journey back to the place where history was made.
We hope you enjoy this video highlighting all the incredible things we did in Normandy over 6 days. We were able to get these amazing men back on Omaha and Utah beach after 78 years. We visited schools where 100s of kids studied the veteran's bios and put on a very special program just for them. We visited the American cemeteries so the veterans could pay respects and say goodbye to their fallen comrades. But, of all the things we did, the parades that the people of Normandy put on put the biggest smiles on all of the veteran's faces.
We can't thank all our sponsors and all of the volunteers enough who helped us achieve our mission of "Taking care of the ones who took care of us"
#DonnieEdwards is a former #NFL football player who has spent the last 22 years giving back to our military. He has done 9 #USO tours, visited many military bases, and accompanied hundreds of WWII veterans and Vietnam veterans back to #battlefields
In April of 2006, Donnie Edwards brought WWII veterans back to their battlefields for the first time. Since that time he has accompanied hundreds of WWII veterans from the top of Mount Suribachi in Japan to the top of Eagles Nest in Germany. Donnie works tirelessly to fulfill the wishes and needs of our veterans and to give them the honor and respect they so readily deserve.
Your generosity will help to ensure the foundation is able to provide these experiences to veterans in the future. Please consider supporting Best Defense Foundation at bdf.org/donate
The freedoms we enjoy today are in no small measure due to their sacrifices, let us repay them with gratitude and honor.
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I had the honor and privilege to spend the 75th anniversary of DDAY with The Best Defense Foundation on June 6th 2019. It was an amazing experience. You see my Grandfather is buried at the American Cemetery at Normandy. His name is Lt. Col. John W. Wynne. Plot A row 13 site 31. I'm going back for the 80th anniversary..God Bless America ..The Greatest Generation and Donny and Kathryn..
Thank you! See you at the 80th!
@@BestDefenseFoundation
I’ll be there too and I’m very scared of it
These veterans make me so proud and humbled to be an American. The Greatest Generation. 🇺🇸
I do believe in what you said, I'm with you!!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👋👏👍
I'm so honored to see this video. This organization is a such a blessing to America. I will always stand in awe of these revered old men,back when men were made of iron, while ships were made of wood. These men went in and saved the world from its own destruction 🥲😢. I can only hope my generation will live up to the stories of these greater than life men,oh God where did you make such men as these? God bless you, angels.
Sgt Andrew Ivester, 1st Calvary Division, 89th Military Police Battalion, Delta Squad leader 🪖
2004-2012 (edited)
My grandfather was a coxswain on one of Higgins boats off of USS Samuel Chase (APA-26) at Omaha. He made twelve trips into the beach on June 6th delivering troops of the 1st Infrantry Division (The Big Red One). They truly are the greatest generation.
That's amazing! Is he still alive?
He passed in the late 90's. He never talked about it..... had to learn about it after the funeral. He left me his seabag in which he listed all his campaign landings and every other country he visited during the war.
Ohhhh my goodness, this video was fantastic!!
Thank you for doing what you do to honor these men and women.
It brought tears 😭 to my eyes❣️
Thank you so much!
I met tom rice back in 2019 in his and my home town and Donnie Ill never forget that
God bless you all I agree Americans don't screw it up
“A final chance to say goodbye to your brothers buried so far from home.”
This nearly broke me. Such a powerful line this is. These heroes never thought in their wildest dreams that they would get the opportunity to be there one last time, and visit their comrades who never returned home. God bless the men and women of The Greatest Generation.
As an ex paramilitar guy , i must say , i just, LOVE this project ! I've been know you guys for a wile, and every time, you guys make me feel very emotion! Thank you so much Best Defense Foundation for keeping alive those fallen heroes, and taking care so well of those who stayed alive to tell us about . Love you guys for that! For those who fought , thank you for fighting for our freedom when the majority were asleep in the warm beds. THANK YOU ALL for your SACRIFICE ! Love from Portugal!
I must meet as many WW2 veterans as I can..While in uniform, I broke down when a WW2 Army veteran called to me...to talk to me...an hr later we were still talking and Sgt was very understanding as to why I was late getting back to the unit
The Best Generation. I will never forget your sacrifice. Let us all remember and let's remember there sacrifice.
"For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know. And for those who have lost it, freedom has a taste that the protected will never appreciate."
Praise to all veterans. Do not forget the Polish soldiers who fought on D-Day.
Along with the Free Czechs, Norwegians, Dutch, Dannes and many other allied troops who fought and died liberating Europe from Nazi Germany.
These men and women... Thanks is never enough. I am so thankful for each and everyone who died and served. I will stand to uphold what they died defending. God Bless America and all the countries that were liberated. God bless all those who served and gave their lives.
Every video I have watched has touched my heart in a way that I struggle to describe. I find myself crying tears of sadness and joy. Tears that wish none of these men and women had to have fought to defend, liberate and many to die.
Thank you!
Thank you much for taking the time to watch and comment! It means a lot us and the veterans! We cry right along with you. It very powerful spending time with these veterans and listening to their stories.
Gotta love the guy at the end who said, I fought for you, so dont screw it up...
Best thing ive heard a WW2 vet say.
Thank you for all who has served
Every morning I wale I thank GOD foe the greatest generation of all ! Without you the wold would not be FREE . Thank God for U 🇺🇸🙏
I'm in awe every time I see these videos. I love our men as women who fought to keep America free. I will never forget them. They are my heroes.
God Bless You for your service, courage and sacrifice for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I'm such a fan of this! I'm a vet, son of a vet, grandson of a vet that fought in France and lost his leg there. I've been to Normandie...What a moving place it is! I was at the 40th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne. Proudest moment in my life as an American. Seeing the people of Bastogne crying at the sight of our flag! So moving! The vet towards the end said it best....
"Don't Screw It UP!"
We must continue to fight for democracy. There are many who might try to corrupt US. #Resist them! They are NOT for US!
Thabk you very much. Everything was amazing. I've been there one month ago, with u guys. So emotional. Thank you.
Very moving. An honor to have met you during this event and thanks again for letting me follow you and do some short interviews!
It will remain a memory engraved forever in my mind.
See you soon
Léo
"'I've done it for you people, so don't screw it up "" That's a huge responsibility for us , the next generation.
THese veterans all deserved the Hero's Welcome. They fought and sacrificed so much storming Normandy. God Bless them.
You've done a great work by helping the veterans to remember and feel their past memories, Hatsoff.
thank you ww2 vets for your immeasurabke sacrifice , glad they all had fun there , god bless yall lots
ww2 veterans and omaha beach always touch my heart. Happy to see them till now.
Thank You for your service always ❤️
To Those Who Lived the Good Life, Fought the Good Fight, Specially Those Who Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice, I Will Never Forget. Pro Patria
"this is even better than when the war was over" Fuckin A
That's my favorite part hahaha
The Greatest Generations they will gone to this world but they are still in service to fight to defend in eternal
Amazing as always. Thanks for continuing to honor these heroes.
10,000 casualties. I had no idea.
All your videos are so moving. Thank you for honoring WWII heroes.
Thank you much for taking the time to watch and comment! It means a lot us and the veterans!
Thank you for your service. You are the greatest generation ever. You are the real superheroes.
Dichosos aquellos afortunados que conocieron a esos grandes hombres que dios los bendiga siempre 🇲🇽🇺🇲
Can someone please tell me if there will be veterans in 2023 in Normandy? I finally saved up enough money for my life long goal of meeting wwII vets. I booked a flight for 2k and im going, I just want to be pointed in the right direction. Anything helps, sincere thanks
They are the 'greatest generation ever '!!!! I wanna meet them but how I don't know , can I do that with you guys ?
Where are you located?
@@BestDefenseFoundation belgium 🇧🇪
And what I've been trough. I've done it for you people. So don't screw it up. :( Sadly most of the generation these days did screw it up. But we can never ever forget them
Battle of Saint Lo one of my grandfather's were there as well
The better generation on the earth. 🪖🫡
Greetings from 🇨🇴 Colombia!
They are pretty amazing!
Very beautiful stuff. There are not too many of these WWII old school soldiers left. A very tough and resilient generation of men and women. Much respect 🇺🇸👍. Jimbo Mexican American, former US Navy radioman petty officer 86-96.
Thank you!
Gentlemen as a 11B I thank you brothers..
Sig makes some good freedom pieces, if you're in the market..... Not sure about Amazon, though.
amazing
Thank you!
Thank you! 🇺🇸🦅
Love it!
Thank you much for taking the time to watch and comment! It means a lot!
I am 28 now. My Generation is lucky that we dont have to fight. Luck thats all. Just luck
USA AND FRANCE ❤
Incredible!
Thank you!
Thank you once again!
Amazing....wonderfully done.
Thank you!
How do I sign up for a tour
We don't do tours. These are programs strictly for the veterans. We know many great tour guides in Normandy, though.
Agreed Americans don't screw it up
Saving Comrade Stalin
Thanks you gentleman, thanks you 🇨🇵🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦
I've watched it all over and over and gives me goosebumps all the time. Never forget their sacrifice. They all went through hell. The way we live today is because of them.
Thank you heroes. Moreover, kudos to you fellas for making this happen.
Thank you so much!
merci messieurs americains canadiens et anglais et respect
sooooo many lives could have been saved ..
this was a suicidal operation by all means
The Greatest Generation. We Thank You. God Bless
I’m not crying you’re crying
It’s true
@@BestDefenseFoundation love y’all. Keep it up. Wish I could’ve talked to my great grandpa about it, but I was young when he passed. Gotta love the men and women of that generation as we can. Thank y’all for what you do.
These videos would be so great if they weren’t edited like a movie trailer.
Thank you for all of your service. So we can live in a free world. This made me cry and I am so glad for what you and your comrades have done. Even in these times of trouble you guys till should be remembered. Thank you Mr Edwards for doing this.
Thank you much for taking the time to watch and comment! It means a lot us and the veterans!