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D-Day Anniversary Memories For The Crew Of Whiskey 7

http://youtu.be/N0iFIG1g0Ms

The 70th anniversary ceremonies marking D-Day has meant a lot to many people both in the U.S. and in Europe, but  it had special significance for some people from the Rochester area. 

It's nickname is 'Whiskey 7, '  and it makes its home at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo. It's a restored C-47, two-propeller plane that went back to Normandy, France, to mark the time 70 years ago when it dropped U.S. paratroopers into that country. (above is some video taken by the Air Force about the Geneseo plane)

Naomi Wadsworth is one of the pilots who brought the plane over to France for the commemoration, and speaking to WXXI News Friday from France, said it was emotional to view the beaches as they came in to land this week.

"For me it was one of the most stirring moments because we could actually see the wrecks of some of the ships out in the water and it was quite profound for me to see that today. "

Wadsworth says many of the people in France for the ceremonies were very grateful as they met the aging D-Day veterans who joined them. 

"I have witnessed people who don't speak the same languages walk up to the American veterans and give them a kiss on the cheek and tell them in French, 'thank you.' Everyone is so wonderful here."

Some of the D-Day veterans who have a connection to that aircraft from Geneseo met up with the plane in Normandy. It will be back in Geneseo in another week or so after taking part in some other activities, including a trip to Rennes, France, which is Rochester's sister city.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.