French children hail D-Day veterans as heroes as they arrive in Normandy for anniversary events

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy ‘’To our forever heroes: Thank you'' — those words inscribed by French schoolchildren on a big poster greeted dozens of U.S. World War II veterans, many in their 100s, as they arrived on Monday in Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. France’s first lady Brigitte Macron and top French officials met the 48 veterans from around the U.S. as they arrived at the Deauville-Normandy Airport on board a special flight from Atlanta, on a trip organized by the non-profit Best Defense Foundation. Thank you for your commitment, thank you for the sacrifices you have made.” Among the veterans was Jake Larson, a 101-year-old American best known on social media under the name “Papa Jake,” He joined the national guard when he was 15 for the money and landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, where he ran under machine-gun fire and made it to the cliffs without being wounded. He remembers it “like it happened yesterday.” Upon arriving at the Deauville airport, he said, “I want to see the beach again.” The veterans will take part in parades, school visits and ceremonies — including the official June 6 commemoration of the landings by soldiers from across the United States, Britain, Canada and other Allied nations on five beaches.