CHICAGO – An honorary send-off was held Monday at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport for a group of three men, all World War II veterans, who are headed to France to commemorate D-Day.
Inside O’Hare’s Terminal 1, a line of passengers and airport staff greeted three of the nation’s heroes as they prepared for the special journey back to the beach where many of their brothers died.
Three World War II veterans from Chicagoland commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy
“After 80 years, this is beyond my dreams. This is unreal,” said 99-year-old airborne veteran Sydney Levit.
Levit was accompanied by 100-year-old Army Corporal John Hodges.
“I have mixed feelings. I am so happy to be here to remember all the brothers who were killed and maimed during the invasion and subsequent battles,” said Hodges.
Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Anthony Malin, an army doctor who fought in the Battle of Normandy 80 years ago, was also among the group.
“The tide rose and our ship went in and we landed our trucks and tanks,” Malin said.
For Malin, the trip marks the 101-year-old veteran’s fifth visit to the ill-fated beach this year
Malin said every time he visits, it brings a rush of emotions.
Brothers who inspired ‘Saving Private Ryan’ honored in France
“You realize how bad it was when you walk through the cemeteries in France,” Malin said. “You walk through those cemeteries, you look around and say ‘God Almighty,'”
The men fly with family members and are met by a fully experienced flight crew, from pilots to flight attendants and even ramp crew. It was a farewell they will never forget.
“That people still have a place in their hearts for what the military does,” Hodges said.
Monday’s flight, organized by the employee-run group United4Veterans, left Chicago just after 6 p.m.
Thursday, June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day
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