Some veterans who stormed Normandy return for the first time

Eighty years after American soldiers stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day during World War II, some of the veterans - who were teenagers at the time - returned for the first time. NBC’s Kelly Cobiella reports for TODAY that the average age of surviving vets is 100.
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#normandy #worldwar2 #veterans

[@Fredrik7le]

Imagine how close they where to lose their life so early in life, and now they live past 100 years. That's incredibly humbling.

[@SimbaRobyn]

And the things they’ve seen! A century of change and innovation. It’s mind blowing truly.

[@Fredrik7le]

@@SimbaRobyn it really is amazing how the world have changed in 100 years.

[@susannpatton2893]

It's amazing Not all lived that long My Grandfather passed in 2000

[@SimbaRobyn]

@@Fredrik7le tv, cell phones!! The internet- crazy!! And less than 100 left 😞 (I think)! The greatest generation indeed.

[@RobertThomson-y4m]

As a Brit it's important to thank the Canadians, new Zealanders, south africans, Australians and americans who stood with us.

[@rjb5847]

As a Canadian & son of a WW2 veteran, I concur.

[@R3c0nf1gur3d]

Lest we forget, but the new generation has already forgotten. I blame the parents.

[@MontagZoso]

Britain held its own against Germany for so long, God Bless you, our friends across the pond. 🇺🇸❤️🇬🇧

[@ScottStanley-if7sr]

In today's world we have the north Korean and China as well as Russia having England as an ally is a blessing

[@KatharineShaw-z8u]

Just want to add thousands of Irishmen from the republic of Ireland (Eire) volunteered to fight for the Brits in ww2.

[@keithlewis4250]

There's not very many left i salute those that are still able to be there.

[@tommas2674]

Stupid fighting be gone but we could have been commies way back then and we still have to fight that and what has been done so far.

[@jt.8144]

They don't watch KZbin. Because they have the real world to cherish. Not the internet.

[@Melior_Traiano]

These guys lived to be 100. Imagine how many of their peers died right there on the beaches on June 6th 1944...

[@mydogsmom9206]

So young. Some of them weren't even technically old enough to be there.

[@susannpatton2893]

Too many

[@rjb5847]

While they all to a man say that the heroes are the dead, I disagree. ALL of them are heroes & the difference between surviving the war & dying in it was usually just a matter of luck.

[@Melior_Traiano]

​@@rjb5847 I absolutely agree. I'd just add that the fallen paid the ultimate sacrifice and didn't get a chance to live their lives. So that would be the obvious difference between them, which is why the veterans call them heroes.

[@elainecaputo4992]

Very moving. I live near there in Normandy and always think about them. We'll never forget them.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Canadians liberated the big house at Juno Beach. The homeowner there always welcomes Canadian vets.

[@janetlynn3397]

"Respect your fellow man and stop this stupid fighting" ❤

[@KilronanMary]

Our Massachusetts family was very fortunate. Out of the seven of my uncles who served in the navy, marines and army air corps, all of them returned home unscathed. God bless all of those who served for they were the greatest generation

[@tbone1574]

A very lucky bunch...🇺🇲

[@mydogsmom9206]

Seven? Oh wow! Did God ever protect them! That sounds like something from a novel!

[@oldschoolel]

True American heroes - applaud them. "They don't make them like that anymore."

[@MagSeven7]

Actors and atheletes aren't heroes....These men.....just regular teenagers who did the impossible are heroes. My father was a hero who fought as a Marine in the Pacific. I wish he was still around to appreciate how much he meant to this country and to me! Sempher Fi, Dad.....

[@rjb5847]

Not just Americans, ALL forces involved were heroes. I say that as a Canadian. Our army made the greatest inroads on June 6th.

[@MagSeven7]

@@rjb5847 Agreed. Thanks to them all, each one a hero. Today should've been some kind of Allied holiday in tribute to those brave people.

[@OGFrylock]

White guys....

[@ruthannschiavone2373]

As a widow of a Marine and mother and mother in law I can't thank them enough

[@luketimewalker]

From France, eternal gratitude to these men - and their families. 💙💙🤍🤍❤❤

[@dannylojkovic5205]

It’s crazy to think this generation is almost gone. My grandpa died at 97 in 2021. He was stationed in New Guinea and saw some horrible stuff war wise, and crazy stuff nature wise (which I distinctly remember him saying). This generation needs to be remembered. They genuinely made the world a better place, even if they didn’t realize it at the time. At the very least, they were the catalyst that started spreading democracy across the East and West. I fear we are reaching a time where we may need another generation to maintain what these men created

[@tbone1574]

They saved the world... The Greatest Generation....🇺🇲

[@jmurphy5059]

A passport wasn’t required for entry to Normandy in the invasion of fortress Europe ! God bless that generation, I’ve never forgotten them. My father, born in September 1920, was 23 on this date, in England having trained for this day ! May we never forget !!!!! Semper Fidelis USMC 72-74🇺🇸

[@patrickhughes3629]

Because of these incredibly brave men, my family and I have freedom. Thank you. We are eternally grateful.

[@robschaefer910]

Thank you for your service

[@Northeastbaseball]

"Stop The Stupid Fighting" Wise Words.

[@favsa5015]

except people don't care about history which Is sad

[@halon7476]

Tell that to the Biden administration

[@Gigrunt887]

My great uncle was in 4 Infantry 8 Infantry they stormed Normandy he was 19 at the time he was born april 17 1925 he died november 29 1944 he was a hero I want to be like theses heros god bless them

[@joenop3393]

The Greatest Generation!! Todays Americans could learn a lot from them!

[@jackz5241]

My grandfather was there on D-Day many, many years ago. He didn't talk much about it much to me before he died in 2016 at 91. RIP

[@karenwright1097]

thank you all veterans, for your service

[@foxgwen1441]

Thank you for your service !!! God Bless you abundantly ❤❤

[@vikingblood0408]

Not many of these Good Ol' Boys left! Lots of memories, some good, more sad!😞 My Grandfather was there at Juno beach. He was wounded but Carried On! Led a good life, I am so proud of his accomplishments as a soldier, police officer and civilian. Miss him alot!

[@nmelkhunter1]

This simply gives me chills. God bless!

[@karsondegoey2671]

104!?! Wow, that's incredible

[@raypeters4525]

WATCHING THIS CELEBRATION ALWAYS MAKES ME CRY ! I WAS IN FIRST GRADE, SIX YEARS OLD ! MY DAD UNCLES AND FRIENDS WERE IN THIS WAR ! SCARY !

[@patricialynn5852]

Thank you so much for your service ❤😢

[@RichardYbnez]

To You The Greatest Generation. Thank You.. Richard

[@kevinbyer9580]

Nailed it 💯.

[@1224dlc]

Thank-you for your service, gentlemen! You are the true heroes! God Bless You All! Thank-you for protecting us!

[@patricialavallee8286]

The greatest generation. Ones that had grit, integrity, common sense and critical thinking skills, and a belief in God, for this country. As opposed to the insane asylum we now live in. God bless them!

[@mountaineernews2]

Compare that generation to the modern GenZ and you get to see the difference

[@patricialavallee8286]

@@mountaineernews2 you ain't kidding. How we've fallen as a country

[@kimbradley9595]

OUR world now 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@aliciacat2323]

God Bless these soldiers. God Bless America.🇺🇸

[@jo8726t]

Thank you for Your service…..

[@SaKOTR]

As a young sailor in the early 00's. It would bring a smile to these guys sitting on the benches at the local mall to sit down and share stories with them of their WW2 experiences and my Post 9/11 experiences. They no longer sit on those benches. Fair winds and following seas gentlemen.

[@liamn.7664]

We all need to respect these brave men and make sure that their sacrifices do not die in vain

[@valkirie19]

I'd like to share the love, and respect we have for all of those men that fought for our freedom! Thank you all! All American, All the Way!

[@mydogsmom9206]

Oh this is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!

[@aboynamedthump]

Thank you for your sacrifices, services, and valor!

[@gougeonrichard]

Killed at 16 years and 11 months, Canadian Gerard Doré is considered the youngest Allied soldier to die on the Western Front during the Second World War. He was buried at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian Cemetery in Normandy.

[@mydogsmom9206]

How awful. He should have been home with friends and courting girls. War is just so evil.

[@mountaineernews2]

@@mydogsmom9206 unfortunately, it’s only going to get worse from here because in just a few weeks, China’s probably going to invade Taiwan, which means more people will die not to mention thethousand people have died so far in Ukraine and our governments lack of interest in stopping the wars. So you ain’t seen nothing yet

[@StevenHoward-o3r]

Can't thank you enough for you all did God bless all

[@jst.martin2180]

Thank You so very much! ♥️

[@marilyntaggart1220]

Thank you for your service and saving democracy!

[@woodyhayes7402]

Ahhh…we don’t want a “democracy” thankfully were a Constitutional Republic.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@woodyhayes7402 Democracy is a societal feature. What do you want, dictatorship?

[@woodyhayes7402]

@@RideAcrossTheRiver - “Social feature?” What is that? It’s either law or it is not. You must have failed American civics class, but I’m here to teach you. Democracy is majority rule…Constitutional Republic (which what the USA IS) is everybody has rights, even if you are the minority. Understand?

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

@@woodyhayes7402 Democracy is where the public votes--a societal system. Rights and electoral system are two different things. You DID fail civic class, but now you've been schooled. Why do you hate democracy? Do you want an Adolf running your life?

[@BarkerVancity]

Real super Heros!!

[@theodosios2615]

I wonder if they ever look around and think "this is what we risked our lives for?"

[@camodudeA51]

I hear ya...I keep trying not to give up...but yeah here we are.

[@blondroo]

THANK YOU!!

[@Linnylou1990]

God Bless these men and all who served and lost their lives! They will always be heroes.Thank you!!!🇺🇸❤️

[@tjanson1]

God bless them ❤️

[@CrystallyLavender]

Wow, 104?! So glad he made it back! Thank you all for your service.

[@neilgraves5069]

May god bless them all the fallen and the survivors . 🇺🇲🇬🇧🇨🇦

[@aph4778]

God Bless them!

[@JanisDavis-b8v]

And of course the many nations who joined us in this fight. 🙏 Thank you🇬🇧

[@woodyhayes7402]

Joined us? It was British and Europeans fight, not the U.S. No European country gave close to 1/5th than America did, not even close

[@kimbradley9595]

My Father died at 96 radio man on a destroyer during WW2 NEVER FORGET

[@susannpatton2893]

My entire family has fought in every war America has been involved in, including the Revolutionary War and possibly before.

[@antoinettelamontagna9999]

Thank You for your service 💕🙏. Totally our Greatest Generation 🙏💕

[@egvazquez1]

Amazing! What heroes!

[@wayneadams7829]

God bless these men. My grandfather served in WW2 and was stationed in the fillipines. He passed away on 5/27/2021 at 102 years old. 80 years later we have 20 year olds walking around in dresses.

[@mountaineernews2]

Welcome to 2024

[@mountaineernews2]

In these days, social media apps are literally marketing nudity to preschoolers

[@jaggerkate]

Wish I could reach into my phone and give each one of them a great big hug. ❤

[@arlenekerr1198]

Amazing men! Thank you heroes!!! God love ya!❤

[@Bodie-Boy]

My father literally drove the 3rd tank onto Omaha beach on d-day. He said that they were delayed by 3 hours from driving onto the beach cause they collectively refused to drive over the dead American soldiers that littered the beach. Yet whenever anyone acknowledged his efforts, he'd always say that the real hero's never made it home.

[@danielevans9379]

The greatest generation. There will never be another 🇺🇸

[@aph4778]

That is AMAZING!

[@HonorablesirGolfer]

What I just realized is I can be famous eventually as one of the last living to ever know someone that stormed Normandy I had weeks of working alongside a man in 90s around his home town when I was in 20s

[@ScottStanley-if7sr]

They are all hero's

[@MsKitcloudkicker]

They were boys!!! God Bless America and these vets. They don’t make them like this anymore

[@MontagZoso]

Wow. We lost 2,977 people on 9/11. 4,000 troops were killed on D-Day. God bless you guys and thank you. ❤️🇺🇸

[@gordonsmith6539]

ALWAYS Thank A Veteran, they're not the ones who picked the fight, but Are the One's Brave Enough to Fight It!

[@XVNRX]

This is crazy they’re 100 years old

[@kimbradley9595]

America thank you for your service. For Normandy they say gave their lives young boys they were taken away

[@kimbradley9595]

They were the greatest generation of All American

[@woodyhayes7402]

Yeah, I get it, but too say that negates sacrifices others made in other conflicts. I’ll never say this aloud.

[@-KALEBONRAGE-]

Imagine thinking you were gonna live, confident and alive. Thinking all that training would get you through. Just to get your head blown off in 10 seconds.

[@bman3794]

God bless the greatest generation 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🫡🫡🫡

[@lga9046]

America: Salute these warriors Warriors: Stop warring

[@HenriettaHudson-we4wv]

IKR??? THESE AMERICAN HEROES WILL ALWAYS HAVE COURAGE AND GUTS!!! THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS THAT TRUMP WILL NEVER BUY!!!!

[@tomhenry897]

And what democrats don’t have

[@JanisDavis-b8v]

To the men of the American, Canadian, Australian, New Zealander forces of WWII . Thank you for freeing Europe from Tyrany. You will always be in our hearts.🇬🇧🇺🇸

[@johnellis3309]

An American cares about him so much.. he'll come back home and probably be homeless.. because of the overcost rent.. it's about twice as high as it should be.. and the rental companies have lost their minds and are completely out of touch with reality in our economic situation.

[@AlbertaleoAlbertalei]

Least we forget. Irminsul - Verden

[@camodudeA51]

As a member of the 82nd ABN DIV 1976-1979, you are all Hero's to me, all of them...but most of all my gratitude to all the men and women for fighting for your country, our country. AIRBORNE!

[@woodyhayes7402]

Understood, but no civilized red blooded man would ever want a woman fighting in any war.

[@mikloridden8276]

Unfortunately it will be forgotten, and it will be repeated

[@Carpenterdane]

I met 2 gentlemen that were part of the D - Day invasion. What an honor it was.

[@claudiolira3767]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏from Brazil!

[@hogtime5]

They need to make billboards all over the world with that man face that stop the stupid fighting!

[@MistyStyles-wo5zi]

It is shameful that another country has more respect for these men than we do

[@adamswitlak1242]

Looking at these long lines of white crosses I cannot forget the US president who called the fallen soldiers the losers and suckers. It is painful for me because my Grandpa was a soldier of Polish 1st Armoured Division and fought in Falaise battle shoulder to shoulder with the Canadians and Americans. He survived but hundreds of his friends are lying up there in Normandy.

[@dorthymcbride3384]

Mahalo and Aloha❤

[@mrhamburger6936]

These old guys are more stable than Joe Biden is

[@HenriettaHudson-we4wv]

THESE OLD GUYS FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM THAT MADE JOE BIDEN POSSIBLE!!!!!

[@mrhamburger6936]

@@HenriettaHudson-we4wv and also Donald Trump as president and not Hillary Clinton

[@woodyhayes7402]

@@mrhamburger6936- Trump ran from military service and brags about it. Just sayin’

[@FAFO_withme]

It’s cool that they made it back to visit. The one thing that I don’t agree with is Delta airlines. They don’t miss a trick, making sure that their name and logo is plastered on the jackets. They can’t just bring them over and stay in the background? That would not make me fly with them. Thanks to the veterans who fought there.

[@WilliamCooper-l6f]

The USS Texas is almost finished with her restoration. Perhaps some time in the future, she can sail back to where she fought alongside those who stormed the beaches? It would be a grand thing to put her on a global tour. To me, it seems inappropriate to not have a ceremony on her deck for any WWII ceremony, for she served in the Mexico blockage, then served the ending of WWI, then fought in every theater of war in WWII and was wounded/damaged in combat. She even flooded herself to fire further than she was designed to fire, to aid in the push inland. Come on news teams, Texas was there for you, now you do what's fitting and be there for her.

[@jasonjordan1936]

good old boys

[@WickedlyMe328]

My grandpa landed in Normandy. Not the first forces. A veteran in our neighborhood survived and was at the 75th anniversary and mentioned by Trump directly. We must never forget. Edited: Ray Lambert was the survivor I spoke of, he died at 100.

[@susannpatton2893]

Salute 🫡 🇺🇸

[@chrishughes4652]

God bless them

[@augl2702]

We freed our French brothers and sisters from tyranny and oppression. Those men and kids laid down their lives and paid the ultimate price to do so. The French helped us free ourselves from tyranny and oppression during our Revolution, and just as we did, they paid the ultimate price to help free the oppressed. It was the right thing to do and we must not allow history to repeat itself. We cannot forget.

[@jt.8144]

Today's Generation's POINT OF REFERENCE: Saving Private Ryan.

[@HenriettaHudson-we4wv]

FOR THOSE WHO SERVED IN ALL OUR WARS AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE!!!! THIS IS SOMETHING THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL NEVER, EVER LIVE UP TO!!!!!

[@GunnyRichard-jm5jr]

The Americans got a letter GREETINGS FROM UNCLE SAM Uncle Sam needs you, same letter my dad received with a wife and 2 kids left behind. Didn't have a choice or go to levonworth prison

[@JN-om6rw]

While veterans from other places leave it all behind and just get on with their lives.

[@VladPutan]

Soon they will no longer be with us, we must not forgive what they sacrificed for the world.

[@BrockSamson-i1i]

ahem, "The US and it's Allies.." .. i think you need a history lesson my love. The US joined the allied forces, and late at that. Telling history right is important, giving context is important.

[@thekidfromcleveland3944]

Bro we did most of the heavy lifting for this one. I'm normally not US centric but like.....The US came out of that conflict as one the two superpowers. It was the era of bipolarism for a reason. Gained a s*** ton of overseas presence while Britain's lost land. Germany sat occupied until the 80s. France gave up on Vietnam shortly after the war. Canada didnt get a aircraft carrier until the 50s ffs. And Japan went as far as to dismantle its entire military for decades. Also we were mostly responsible for rebuilding europe thru the Marshall Plan. I guess technically Italy remained active in the Mediterranean but still. The US definitely took s*** over from 41 to 45. Now if you wanna give credit to the royal navy for keeping Germanys pocket battleships mostly ineffective or in drydock until the tall boys came around......I won't argue there. Europe also implemented a better public transit system with high speed rail and the Concorde in the postwar years which is something that shouldn't go unnoticed either

[@RobertThomson-y4m]

More British and Canadians at d day than Americans but we shouldn't squabble.​@@thekidfromcleveland3944

[@mikeroy6713]

“ I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” - Donald Trump

[@stevenpope2053]

And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer: Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Franklin Delano Roosevelt 6/6/44

[@морозсказка]

🙏

[@caomhnoir386]

It is up to us to keep their legacy alive now that they are all slowly passing away. Thank you to America's greatest generation, we all love you.

[@basketballspinner]

I’d rather forget about it.