Trip honors D-Day vets

The June 6 trip marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, when 195,000 Allied sailors, 160,000 Allied troops, 12,000 aircraft, and 7,000 naval vessels began the largest amphibious invasion in history. This invasion marked the beginning of the Normandy campaign and was the turning point in World War II.

The Triangle group will leave Raleigh on Thursday, June 5 at 1 p.m. and return the following evening. Transportation, hotel accommodations and meals will be provided. Each veteran will be accompanied by a guardian. Family members between 21-65 are encouraged to accompany their vet and the guardian. The trip is funded through donations.

First priority will be given to veterans who participated in the Normandy campaign between June 6, 1944 and August 31, 1944. A Normandy invasion campaign veteran (D-Day) is defined as any American veteran able to describe in writing their participation in the Normandy campaign or has documented evidence of receiving an official Normandy battle campaign credit. Acceptable participation would include involvement in pre-invasion air strikes, actual landing or air assaults, follow-up reinforcements, off-shore naval support, air cover or air reconnaissance missions, deception operations, and naval, land or aerial logistical support, medical, and resupply operations. Based on veteran response and available seating, additional WWII veterans may be able to participate in the trip.