D-Day Squadron – 75th Anniversary

Daks Over Normandy will be the largest assembly of authentic vintage C-47 military aircraft and paratroopers since that fateful day on June 6, 1944, all to honor the service and sacrifice of the citizen soldiers who risked life and limb to bring about the beginning of the end of the War in Europe.

Who: The D-Day Squadron was created by the non-profit, Tunison Foundation to coordinate and fundraise for the return of 20+ C-47’s/DC-3’s to Normandy, France in 2019 for the 75thAnniversary of D-Day. The Tunison Foundation owns the WWII D-Day/Market Garden Veteran C-47 “Placid Lassie,” and has experienced the trans-Atlantic crossing and particpated in the 70th D-Day Anniversary.

What: Organize logistical support and fundraise for 20+ aircraft to participate in the 75thAnniversary events being organized by the DAKS Over Normandy organization. DAKS is the European non-profit organization who is planning celebrations in Duxford, England and Normandy, France.

When: The European events take place from June 2nd through 9th. The D-Day Squadron aircraft will assemble in late May in Connecticut for kick-off events and media coverage.

Where: The aircraft of the D-Day Squadron will assemble on the East Coast of the United States for a kick-off celebration and flight around the Statue of Liberty. They will then proceed over a route that will take them via Canada, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland and into Scotland and England for the start of events in Duxford, England from June 2nd through the 5th. They will them assemble with their European aircraft siblings and form the largest channel crossing if C-47’s/DC-3’s since 1944! They will and in Caen, France and participate in planned events and flights, culminating in the largest paratroop drop in Normandy since 1944!

Why: Honor our WWII Veterans and their brothers-in-arms who gave their lives for liberty and democracy in a foreign land. This will most likely be the last anniversary of D-Day that WWII Veterans will be able to attend in person and witness via news and television broadcasts. Operation Overlord was one of the most pivotal points in WWII and was the beginning of the end of Nazi occupied Europe.

Funds raised will be used judiciously to safely transport the American fleet of C-47s to the Daks Over Normandy event in June 2019, and help make preparations for an ongoing educational outreach program honoring the civilian soldiers who’s bravery helped end a world war.

The D-Day Squadron has already set-up the framework for the endeavor and is beginning to work with suppliers, supporters and sponsors to make this monumental journey. Fundraising has started, and we are coordinating direct mail and crowdsourced social media fundraising campaigns, along with engaging corporate sponsors for logistical support and sponsorship.