ORLANDO, Fla. — It was a moment that shaped the course of the Second World War: the invasion of Normandy.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando veteran Mel Jenner returns to Normandy for the first time since fighting in WWII 80 years ago

  • In 1944, young Jenner was a scanner, flying over coastal Normandy in a B-17 bomber

  • The 101-year-old veteran suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder after the war

  • Jenner is a guest, alongside dozens of other veterans, on American Airlines-chartered flights

And, for the first time since that day, one Orlando veteran returned to France to commemorate 80 years.

“When I was over there during World War II, I never had put a foot in France. I did many missions to France from the air,” explained Mel Jenner, who served in the 8th and 9th Air Force and survived 45 aerial combat missions. “This is going to be quite an experience, and I lost a great buddy of mine in France, so we’re going to try to find the spot where his airplane crashed. I hope we can do that.”

Jenner is one of about 70 veterans who are guests of American Airlines-chartered flights to Normandy. He flew out of Orlando International Airport last week.

The veterans are also guests of many ceremonies taking place across the region this week.

In 1944, a young Jenner was a scanner, flying over coastal Normandy in a B-17 bomber, as his unit snapped photos of men rushing ashore on D-Day, June 6, 1944.

In 1944, a young Mel Jenner was a scanner who flew over coastal Normandy in France in a B-17 bomber during WWII. (Courtesy of Barbara A. Gallentine)

And what Jenner witnessed on D-Day, he could never unsee.

“Eighty years ago when we flew up and down there, all this was all thousands of ships,” he said, referring to a small notebook with maps. “You look down and you see four, five tanks in the water, turn your head and look back, and they’re gone. They sunk. … They looked like logs in the water. And it wasn’t logs. But I was so grateful and thankful it wasn’t me.”

Jenner’s military career continued for another 21 years after the war ended. And though the veteran has packed away memories of the moment that changed the tides of the war, at 101 years old he is also ready to make new memories this week as he and other veterans are honored.

“It’s amazing how quick people start to forget, and I’ve been going around, telling my story,” he said. “And it seems like our younger generation is so appreciative of what I have to say, and I love them for it.”