WWII Vets Return to Normandy: An Emotional Journey 79 Years After D-Day
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- You are watching the incredible journey of #WWII #veterans as they return to #Normandy, France, after an astounding 79 years! Join us as 43 of these remarkable #heroes embark on an unforgettable program filled with both joy and profound emotions.
All of this was made possible thanks to our partnership with Delta Air Lines, who provided a chartered flight directly into Normandy, and Michelin, whose continued support has been instrumental to the success of these programs.
In this touching footage, witness the camaraderie among these brave veterans as they reunite on the hallowed grounds where they once fought side by side. Despite the passage of time, their spirits remain unwavering, and the bond they share is stronger than ever.
As we follow their adventures, you'll see how the #WWIIveterans experience a rollercoaster of emotions-laughter, tears, and moments of deep reflection. Each step they take holds memories of the past, and every reunion is a testament to the enduring friendship forged amidst the chaos of war.
From exploring historic landmarks to sharing anecdotes at the hotel, these heroes have fun and revel in the company of their brothers-in-arms once again. Their resilience and strength inspire us all, leaving us with an appreciation for the sacrifices they made and the unbreakable spirit they possess.
As part of our continuing dedication to engaging the greatest generation with the next generation, this year we brought 8 next-gen students, ages 15-23, with us to experience history with those who created it. It was incredible to witness the joy the veterans had talking with these amazing youth.
Prepare to be moved by their touching stories and unforgettable experiences. Join us in paying tribute to these WWII veterans as they revisit Normandy, a place that forever holds a special place in their hearts. Don't forget to hit the like button and share this touching journey with others who appreciate the valor and sacrifice of these extraordinary individuals.
Subscribe to our channel for more inspiring content, and let's keep the spirit of these WWII veterans alive as we honor their bravery and celebrate their unyielding bond. Thank you for watching, and may we never forget the heroes who shaped our history.
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My Uncle Paul quit high school at age 17 years, joined the US Navy and ended up on an Ammunition ship December 7,1941 at Pearl Harbor. He was a PROUD member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association/ Philadelphia chapter! GO NAVY! ⚓️⛵️⚓️🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
I'm an Indian watching this from a far remote village of india, when i showed this video to my mom, I really got choked and started crying. I told my mom that these old men of Steel fought greatest war of human history, I watched it with teary eyes and realised we gonna lose all of them in few years. My god I really wanna sit with them like their grandchildren and talk to them about life, war. I lost my grandparents when I was 7 years old. I wanna tell to all young generation like me who are reading this comment, plz spent time with your grandpa and grandma, it's so precious time. When they see you growing up you can't imagine how happy they feel. Talking to them will give you so many lessons of life. When ever you are depressed just talk to these old folks it will make you strong. If you have any veteran in your area plz give them salute whenever you meet him, I will make him realise that society care about him and his service to the nation
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. It was very touching.
Thank you for your very kind reply! You are 100% correct about respecting Elders! My Uncle was a Pearl Harbor Survivor on an ammunition ship! I was very fortunate to be able to meet many of those brave men , members of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association at their annual summer picnic at my Uncle's home!I was just a child but I have very fond memories of meeting many of these sailors! 🤗🥰🤗⚓️⛵️⚓️GO NAVY 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
I am Not Sure How My Grandfather Would Have Reacted to this, he died in 1980. He was called an old man in WWII he was 35 a Master Sergeant and Warrant Officer in Patton's 3rd Army. He was scarred by his experiences in Europe. I have commented about him in an earlier Video. How ever I dont ever remember anyone thanking him for his service. However everyone in Ozark Alabama knew him as SARGE. I remember everyone in town Calling Him That ! Rest in Peace Grandpa, I know What You Did :)
Both of my grandfathers were WW2 US ARMY vets too. May our heros rest in peace. God bless America 🇺🇸 🫡
Baby Boomer here! Tears in my eyes watching this very moving video. My Great-Uncle died on a beach on February 19,1944! He was a Staff Sgt in the US Army! I have German -Swiss Ancestry! We had to fight and win that war! My Great-Uncle is my hero ! He was definitely NOT A LOSER! 🇩🇪 🇨🇭 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My Grandfather before his passing was invited to France and he said, It was one of the most Welcomed times he ever had in his life. Thank you France For giving my American WW2 Grandfather some peace before his passing.
Thank you to all who fought for our freedom.
true men of steel. God bless you all. Thank you for your service. 🫡
Thank you so much Sir for your service with Patton he should have an honor
Ran through the Best Defense Foundation on Omaha Beach last month for this 79th anniversary. Clapping with all the other people there as the vets were taken from the bus to their wheeling chair, then to the beach. I saw one of the vets asking to run all across the beach til the sea. And I saw him do it. Boy, this was a memory I think I won't ever forget.
That's awesome that you were there for that!
@@BestDefenseFoundation anytime you come back 🙏
We had the chance to rub shoulders with the Best Defense Foudation during the June 2023 ceremonies in Normandy. They are wonderful people and dedicated to the well-being of veterans. They give them lots of love and attention.
We especially thank Denita, Matthew, Lizzy, Alicia and Virginie thanks to whom we were able to spend a lot of time with our veteran friend Carl Felton whom we had not seen physically for 4 years.
Long live the Best Defense Foundation and their members. God bless you all.
This bring tears to my eyes… I was in Normandy in June and I have the opportunity to meet and shake hands with veterans… I will never forget about this
Badass soldiers.. salute🎉❤
As a combat veteran raised by combat veterans, thank you sir for you and your organization. God bless you.
Same as me
O7 from Germany, thank you!!
For the marvelous men and women, who were the bulwark against oppression and tyranny, THANK YOU. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. I hope you all enjoyed your chance to say your final goodbyes to your brothers and sisters buried so far away from home.
We will never forget their heroic sacrifice! God Bless these veterans!
Love to see these videos every year, thank you for everything you do for us vets
Glad you like them!
Donnie I love what you do as a second gen Irish American and proud American thank you. Esmiralda and I thank you for you bringing back the veterans and preserving this history. The next generation is watching. Doesn’t matter the politics of this nation we are one and stand proud.
I was in Normandy and saw the drone shots being filmed over the American graves. One of the most special trips of my life
I'm so sad this channel is not more popular.
Glory to the Heroes, love from the Netherlands
Thanks!!
My grandad served with the Royal marines in the second world war his was badly injured on the advance from scilly, he was brought home and luckily made a full recovery. He never talked about the war,and would only say he lost lots of mates in Italy. My great grandad was killed in the first world war and my grandad was only two years old.never forget what these brave soldiers did on giving up their lives so we could all live in peace RIP grandad and great grandad you are always in my thoughts. ❤❤
God bless these men and women, may they have many years in good health, and may those who have perished, rest in perpetual peace. Thanks you for your service, my gratitude can't be described, neither can your sacrifices and great debt we will never be able to pay back.
Heroes.
As a veteran myself, I will always stand in awe of the beautiful souls who laid the ground work of expectations everyone has tried to live for since the Great War in World War 2. Find peace warriors, we will continue your legacy as best we can. I'm so proud of you
So much respect for all of them who fought for us. (French girl here 🇨🇵).
Never had the chance to talk about WW2 with my grandfather. He was incorporated to the German army. Didn't have the choice...we live in Alsace.
This video is great especially the first song (any chance you give the title ?)
Which part of the video are you asking about?
@@BestDefenseFoundation 0:00 to 1:08
@@au6742 The veteran is singing "Are You Havin Any Fun?" by Frank Sinatra and the music underneath is "Tank Girl" by Klayton
@@BestDefenseFoundation thank you !
That is so priceless. I'm so grateful for our men and women who fought for those in France and in America to keep us free. Love you all so much. Thank you for our freedom and thank you for serving your country. You will not be forgotten.
we all love the ww2 veterans , god truly bless these courageous men !
Estos soldados batallones pelearon valientemente son heroes para liberar de francia siempre seran recordados de por vida y futuro 🇨🇵🇨🇵🇺🇲🇺🇲🇭🇲🇭🇲🇲🇨🇲🇨👍👍
God bless Veterans, thank you for your service.
This really got me emotional. I do what I can for our local veterans but to see just how helpful this is to that generation, makes me feel I need to more and step up my game.
This video is really exciting, moving, thank you for taking these people all over 90 years old and making them feel that they ARE STILL HEROES!! They saved the world from Hitler's evil, tyranny, intolerance. They went through hell in combat, they followed their path and live to maintain the testimony of bravery, courage, determination, being an example for every young man. Thanks for sharing. I am Argentine, it is estimated that some five thousand Argentine volunteers, including 400 women, actively participated in allied actions for four years. My grandmother worked in a canned meat factory in Buenos Aires, for England.
What a celebration they had, wishing I could have been part of it, just to be in the presence of These Hero's
Thank God for these men and women, and everything they’ve done. A generation unlike any other.
Thank you for all those who fought, and the sacrifices made by all that served in World War II and a reminder of the freedom that it has granted us today.
Why does this have not more upvotes??
i was born in 1950 but my Grandfather attened D-Day in his Ship HMS Honeysuckle and an Uncle drove a Tank all British and another Uncle was on a Destroyer they often told me when i was young how great the invasion was but many soldier got hurt and killed but my family survived to tell me what it was like !
Beautiful. True hero in each of them.
We agree!
I'm a Dutch 29yo guy, didn't witness ww2 but for ever grateful for the allies (i believe the majority was Canadian) that freed my country when my grandparents were little children. I'm not sure if my parents or even myself would have been born if it wasn't for them.
some Polish people were there with those Canadians, love to Netherlands people from 🇵🇱
These are such amazing men. I wish I had more of an opportunity to learn their stories.
This video and this program is a true inspiration and blessing we will never forget the men and women who risked it all for people they loved to be able to live today. I truly cried and it was hard not to cry too. I cant believe the world has changed so much since then but what your doing truly makes a difference I love your channel and community god bless you man! Keep up the outstanding honorable work you do!
Thank you Donnie, BDF, Delta and Michelin!
From the Brazilian Army, from the 20th Armored Infantry Battalion, Battalion Sergeant Max Wolff Filho, I salute the WWII veterans. We'll never forget. Thank you for your service !
My dad went to war in 1937 to fight off the brutal Nip invasion. He had a machine gun that killed 100 men per minute. It was identical to those the nazis used on Omaha Beach. Thirty years ago I took him to Omaha Beach. He loved it. He really hit it off with the US veterans. I have been to allied cemeteries in Normandie at least five times. I always liked staying at Hotel du Six Juin in Ste Mere Eglise. Right near the steeple Pvt John Steele got hooked up on. The people are absolutely wonderful. If you're needing a vacation real bad then go to Omaha Beach. You won't regret it. And ride in a CITROEN taxi.
True heroes! The greatest generation!
Very thanks veterans!
Thank you for sharing this! We took our three teenagers to visit Normandy a week after the commemoration. I’m so glad I could show them these historical sites so that they understand the sacrifices the Greatest Generation sacrificed for our freedom. They left with their hearts full of gratitude. 🙏
More appreciation for American soldiers in France than america. Sadly
To the Greatest Generation, thank you so much. I would not be here along with my children and grandchildren if it wasn't for your bravery and love for freedom. God Bless You and God Bless America! ❤❤❤
Simply beautiful.
Many thanks!
My god you guys are doing the lords work. This is incredibly beautiful and just all around remarkable.
Keep up the amazing work. I will always continue to donate to this great cause.
The most amazing people...we really won't see their like again.
These men that gave their lives they had superpowers that is their will and their faith and their determination Define overwhelming odds these men went through hell and back for our safety and freedom.
Thank you Austin for capturing so beautifully the essence of this return to Normandy for these heroes and thanks to the whole BDF Michelin and Delta team for making it possible.
No matter the times, no matter the places we now live, we owe every personal moment of freedom to the individual soldiers, who died for us so many years ago.
Join Best Defense Foundation right now in sending these men & women back to places of reverence, joy, and tears.
Contribute any way and in any amount that you are called to do!
Join all of us in a warm embrace of gratitude to these soldiers.
Keep freedom in your heart each & every day as a thank you to their sacrifice. They will soon be gone and you will lose your last chance to join us in our mission.
God bless you all & thank you.
Not just from me, but from my Dad’s B-24 crew, KIA 09/03/43.
Lest we forget…🙏🏼🇺🇸 BDF 🇺🇸VFW🇺🇸Donnie Edwards#59👍🏼
Im about to cry
Hombres maravillosos gracias por todo lo que nos enseñan a estas generaciones DIOS este siempre con ustedes y su familia
God bless France
This has ti be seen once in a lifetime. If I would like to attend to 80th anniversary, how would that work? The dates, places and so on.. Ty.
There are events going on in Normandy for about 2 weeks around D-day
I’m not American or European but seeing this game me chills. Absolute respect for what those heroes did (& most of all, the fact that some of them are still alive)
Thank You
❤ so much feelings … Thank you for this lovely video ❤️
Fabulous video of very remarkable people.
We will meet again ...
True Heroes
Wow this is awesome, what heroes these men are. My grandfather was 14th armored division and we would trade stories about tanks, trucks, artillery etc. all the typical “guy” stuff lol Looking at how few of these men are left is very sad and I didn’t realize the gift I had in all of those stories over the years with my grandfather. Such a cool video
I am so grateful for what they have done and sacrificed, but I really don't like how America does not give the same respect to our veterans as France! it is so sad!! I know a bunch of people do but our younger generation's do not realize the sacrifice that these young men and women had made, and they didn't get to have kids or lives or love or anything for our freedom and to be able to have the freedoms we have is owed to all of the MEN AND WOMEN OF SERVICE! THANK YOU ALL AND MAY LOVE AND PEACE BE WITH ALL!
Makes me wish I had relatives that were Australian or American that fought for the country. My parents are from Singapore so I am unsure if they have vets there.
Its sad knowing how many we have lost. Their days are numbered and i canthelp but think we are all worse off for it 😔
Thank you 🇨🇵🇺🇸🇬🇧🇨🇦
Good old Bill Becker from the The Carpetbaggers
Such a badass! I loved learning about the carpetbaggers!
I went to Sainte Mère Eglise in 2023, but I left on the evening of June 5th. As a proud French teenager with a passion for the history of the Second World War, and D-Day in particular. Going there and walking on the beaches felt weird. It made me sick to my stomach to know what happened there, almost 80 years ago now. All those dead in the name of freedom for everyone in the world, in the name of liberating France and Europe from the Nazis. When I see the disrespect for all these dead in my school, it disgusts me horribly. They spit in their faces. They don't realize the pain of the families and soldiers who landed. They forget too quickly that without them we might still be in Nazi Germany. VIVE LA FRANCE ET VIVE LES USA !! 🔵⚪🔴
Greatest Generation of Americans to walk this Earth.
They were just boys when they took up the call.
Hey the British and Canadians were there too all greats
Legends
I can't imagine how a young boy could have felt the moment he put his feet on the Normand sand. Truly the best generations we could have gotten. God bless all of you, brave men! I wish I could have shaken your hand.
❤🇨🇵🇺🇸
got the shitty Nazis out of the way well done all you lovely soldiers and God Bless you all !
🇧🇷🇺🇲🇬🇧🇫🇷🇨🇦🇳🇿🇭🇲
HEYYYY ALICIA!! SHE'S MY MANAGER!!!
Im Yugoslavia man💙🤍❤️
Were only Americans soldiers took part in Normandy landings ?
No, there were several countries involved in the Normandy landings.
Would it be wrong to invites Germany's Vets to this? I don't think it would.
We have ran into many Germans WWII vets over the years in Normandy. We are a US based foundation that honors our US veterans by taking them back to where they fought and served. We have limited resources to even do that. I wish we had capacity to do stuff with German soldiers.
The fact that they have a bunch of women in ww2 american uniform parading would sicken me if I was one of those old boys who watched hundreds of young men fall around me in combat. What a disservice to history.
Incredible, God please bless all those who served and saved the world
This is one of my goals. To visit Normandy. To see the history. I hope i will be able to achieve this goal. Thank you for your service! 🫡
It was timely for the great US to join in WWII/Normandy/The Pacific - the UK, Canada, NZ, Australia, India, and many more held on from 1939 for their help. Thank you.
Sad to think there almost all gone 😢
Nuestro reconocimiento eterno a todos estos héroes que lucharon por nuestras libertades en contra de la tiranía malévola......un gran abrazo y saludo desde VIÑA del Mar en Chile a todos estos héroes con gratitud!!