BDF Blog
We’re thankful to our dedicated and passionate team of volunteers that make the Best Defense Foundation a reality.
Day 1: WWII Veterans Prepare for Return Voyage to Normandy 8 Decades Later – 2023 Normandy Battlefield Return
WWII Veterans Prepare for Return Voyage to Normandy 8 Decades Later Almost 79 years ago, American military members and their allies were preparing for D-Day, the start of the fight to liberate Normandy, France, from her Nazi occupiers. Today, the Best Defense Foundation is kicking off the 79th Anniversary of D-Day Battlefield Return Program to Normandy with the sole mission of “taking care of those who took [...]
Press Release – 2023 Normandy Battlefield Return – 79th Anniversary
Best Defense Foundation announces 2023 Program to bring WWII Veterans back to Normandy for the 79th Anniversary of D-Day in partnership with Delta Air Lines, and with the support of Michelin. Best Defense Foundation thanks the French Embassy to the U.S. and the U.S. Mission to France for helping to share Veterans’ stories, as well as the Normandy Region for helping us to honor the Veterans in France.
Best Defense Foundation announces 2023 Program to bring WWII Veterans back to Normandy for the 79th Anniversary in partnership with Delta Air Lines and the support of Michelin.
Normandy 79th Anniversary Best Defense Foundation announces 2023 Program to bring WWII Veterans back to Normandy for the 79th Anniversary in partnership with Delta Air Lines and the support of Michelin. The Best Defense Foundation will again bring WWII veterans to Normandy, France this year to commemorate the 79th anniversary of D-Day in partnership with Delta Air Lines and the support [...]
Those Who Serve: History comes to life at Dysart High School
Those Who Serve: History comes to life at Dysart High School Two World War II veterans captivated students with first-hand stories of the second Great War. EL MIRAGE, Ariz. — In an auditorium at Dysart High School, history came alive Friday. Two World War II Veterans stopped by the school to share stories of the past and teach the things that the history books cannot. “War is [...]
Donnie Edwards // National Quarterbacks Club Legacy Award Recipient
Donnie Edwards // National Quarterbacks Club Legacy Award Recipient On February 24, former NFL linebacker was awarded the Legacy Award from the National Quarterback Club in Phoenix, Arizona. The award highlighted his continued work with veterans through the Best Defense Foundation providing WWII veterans the opportunity to return to their battlefields, assisting special forces operators transitioning out of the military and preserving the legacy of those [...]
2022 WWII Veterans In Memoriam
2022 WWII Veterans In Memoriam
What Is The Stronghold Transition Program?
What Is The Stronghold Transition Program? In September 2022, the Best Defense Foundation hosted its second Stronghold Transition Program. Special forces operators, both active and newly transitioned, came together on a secluded ranch in Utah. Here, they bonded as brothers and renewed their sense of purpose. Working with mental health experts, the veterans focused on healing and developing strategies to lead a healthy life out of the [...]
Normandy 2022 | 78th Anniversary of D-Day | Day 8
D-DAY 78TH ANNIVERSARY - DAY 8 June 7th, 2022 That’s a wrap! DAY 8 June 7th, 2022 We love school visits! Every time we visit a school in France, the kids are all so excited to meet the veterans. When the kids from Charles Letot middle school in Bayeaux heard the veterans were coming, they spent months learning about each veteran and [...]
Normandy 2022 | 78th Anniversary of D-Day | Day 7
D-DAY 78TH ANNIVERSARY - DAY 7 June 6th, 2022 Today, 78 years ago.. DAY 7 June 6th, 2022 Today, 78 years ago, young men stormed the beaches of Normandy to join the allied forces in the fight to rid the world of tyranny. Today at 97, our veterans stand on the beach for the first time since then in a grateful, free [...]
Normandy 2022 | 78th Anniversary of D-Day | Day 6
D-DAY 78TH ANNIVERSARY - DAY 6 June 5th, 2022 Another day, another parade! DAY 6 June 5th, 2022 Another day, another parade! We started the day at La Fiere bridge for the annual paratrooper jump, which unfortunately didn’t happen, but it didn’t stop the veterans from having a blast meeting all of their fans. The town of St. Mere Eglise always puts [...]
Normandy 2022 | 78th Anniversary of D-Day | Day 5
D-DAY 78TH ANNIVERSARY - DAY 5 June 4th, 2022 What a parade!!!!!!! DAY 5 June 4th, 2022 What a parade!!!!!!! The city of Carentan always puts on such a great parade every year for our veterans. This year was extra special as the veterans were IN the parade. The smiles on their faces were contagious as thousands of people cheered for them! [...]
Normandy 2022 | 78th Anniversary of D-Day | Day 4
D-DAY 78TH ANNIVERSARY - DAY 4 June 4th, 2022 Day 2 in #Normandy covered all of the emotions. DAY 4 June 3rd, 2022 Day 2 in #Normandy covered all of the emotions. We started the day with a somber visit to The Brittany American Cemetery where our youngest (16) volunteer gave a powerful message. The veterans then had a chance to walk the beautiful [...]
Normandy 2022 | 78th Anniversary of D-Day | Day 3
D-DAY 78TH ANNIVERSARY - DAY 3 June 2nd, 2022 Our arrival into #Normandy was absolutely fantastic! DAY 3 June 2nd, 2022 Our arrival into #Normandy was absolutely fantastic! Thanks to Delta Air Lines for chartering this historic flight into #Deauville. This was the first time a commercial flight landed into Normandy. Our 29 #WWII #veterans were greeted by 100’s of grateful French people who [...]