SUMMARY

Today marks the 79th anniversary of D-Day, when 73,000 US soldiers joined Allied forces to fight on the beaches of Normandy during the largest seaborne invasion in history. This week, 43 US WWII veterans are in France thanks to the Best Defense Foundation and have visited sites like:

- The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer where almost 10,000 Americans take their rest, many of whom were killed in action during the first wave to hit the Normandy beaches.

- Carentan, one of the final and critical objectives in the Normandy offensive before American and Allied forces could push further into France.

- La Fiere Drop Zone, where 250 Americans gave their lives to allow Allied Forces to move further inland.

- Sainte-Mère-Église, which welcomed the veterans with open arms (and with another parade!).

- Utah Beach, where six of the 43 WWII veterans saw the battlefield where they fought almost 80 years ago.

- Pointe du Hoc, where the first American unit to accomplish its mission on D-Day.

These, along with the Pegasus Bridge, the Overlord Museum, the Bayeux Cathedral and other landmarks.

US support contributed to an Allied victory and the liberation of France from Nazi forces, and France is forever grateful to all the American soldiers that fought, suffered and gave their lives during combat on French soil during World War II.