Battlefield Return // Normandy // D-Day 78

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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