American Airlines has announced a special charter flight for 70 World War II veterans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The trip will begin with a send-off parade at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, where the veterans will board a chartered Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner bound for Paris on May 31.
Among the veterans being flown by American Airlines is Frank Perry, a former pilot with Piedmont Airlines and a turret gunner in the Army Air Corps. Another veteran on the flight is Felix Maurizio, a US Navy veteran who was involved in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach.
Delta Air Lines has also announced similar plans to fly 60 World War II veterans directly to Normandy for the third year in a row. This initiative by both airlines comes as a gesture of gratitude for the veterans and their sacrifices made for freedom. David Seymour, American’s chief operating officer and an army veteran himself, expressed his honor in playing a part in helping these heroic men return to Normandy. He emphasized the importance of shining a light on their extraordinary stories and preserving their legacies for future generations.