Delta is proud to proceed its Normandy Legacy Flight, supporting this system that flies World Struggle II veterans and college students again to Normandy, France to commemorate the anniversary of D-Day.
Strolling aspect by aspect on Omaha Seaside 81 years after the notorious D-Day invasion, 19-year-old faculty pupil Caleb Walker and 101-year-old WWII veteran Jack Myers mirror on the heroes who left their complete world behind to save lots of everybody else’s. As a member of the Finest Protection Basis’s 2025 NextGen initiative, Caleb, together with 13 different college-age college students, has had the distinctive alternative to spend time in Normandy with over 20 WWII veterans, listening to their tales and studying about their experiences.
When requested how he plans to hold their legacy by the following technology so we could always remember the sacrifices that had been made, Caleb mentioned, “This program is the muse that’s permitting us to ceaselessly carry the tales we study whereas we’re right here. As a result of the true journey begins after we all return to our houses and colleges the place we are going to now share this legacy with our family and friends.”
Standing amongst the world’s heroes whereas visiting the cities they as soon as liberated is a humbling expertise for these college students. To know that the celebrated women and men who’re searching upon the gathering crowds of grateful locals and vacationers had been as soon as the identical age they’re as we speak, however had been dwelling in a vastly totally different world, is a sense that just about falls in need of phrases.
As they continued their travels by the area, the NextGen college students had the chance to go to Lycée Victor Hugo faculty with the veterans the place they sat in lecture rooms alongside French faculty youngsters who requested the veterans questions on their expertise within the conflict.
Kicking off the day, Julianna McClary, a 19-year-old pupil from Montana State College, shared her private connection to the conflict’s historical past. Her grandfather, a WWII veteran who fought in France, left behind an unbelievable legacy and values that she has promised to guard for the longer term generations. “Our obligation is to be sure that their mild by no means dims,” mentioned Julianna in a speech delivered on the native highschool.
Throughout this go to, many veterans additionally shared about their time through the conflict and implored the scholars to always remember the tales they heard a couple of time when abnormal folks had been requested to do essentially the most extraordinary issues. “It’s necessary to be right here and we must always always remember,” mentioned veteran Jack Myers.
Following their faculty go to, the veterans had been then celebrated on the Freedom Prize ceremony the place younger folks ages 15 to 25 from France and around the globe select an inspiring individual or group to be acknowledged. Along with the NextGen college students, the area of Normandy hosted 5 college students from Atlanta’s native Dutchtown Highschool and 5 college students from Atlanta Worldwide College to study extra in regards to the historical past of Normandy and the impression of WWII all through the world. Throughout the ceremony, these college students had been highlighted for his or her ardour of guaranteeing the sacrifices of those that got here earlier than are remembered.
“We now have to proceed telling their tales,” mentioned NextGen pupil Tierney Connors. “Since being right here in Normandy I’ve been taking photographs and sharing our experiences to remind these again house that our veterans are nonetheless right here and that they should be honored.”
In making connections with the veterans, relationships that may remember to final, these college students now have the chance to hold their reminiscence ahead for many years to come back. Whereas our time with the Best Era could also be restricted, their tales are countless, and their legacy will proceed to be lifted for generations and generations to come back.
As Bob Somers, Delta’s Senior Vice President of World Gross sales, instructed the veterans, “We’ll all proceed to inform your tales for so long as we are able to. Thanks for all the pieces.”
