Join WWII vets on emotional return to Normandy for D-Day in VR

Also this week, swing through the air on a flying trapeze and watch two Olympic hopeful freeskiers take on a superpipe: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQgbqky0lK5GchDAgout0cYf3vlacMfwN

Over 70 years later, World War II veterans return to the shores of Normandy, France to visit the battlefield and the graves of their fallen comrades. Their trips are fully funded as an expression of thanks for their service.

Tuesday marks the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, one of the most decisive and iconic battles of World War II. On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed on Omaha Beach, along the coast of Normandy, France, as part of an assault on Nazi Germany.

Various public and private entities raise funds to help surviving veterans travel to France free of charge to commemorate the invasion in person. One of the goals is to help bridge memories across generations.

In the video, VRtually There brings you to the shores of Normandy with three returning D-Day veterans as they pay their respects to their comrades who never returned home.

Gen. Dwight Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.”

The successful landings made by American troops and its allies on June 6 were the beginning of the end for Hitler’s fascist regime. But the cost in lives was high. More than 9,000 Allied forces were killed or wounded.

Meet James Carroll, Robert Lockhard, and Cliff Goodall on their second journey to Normandy in the immersive 360 video.

From the USA TODAY NETWORK and YouTube, it’s VRtually There, bringing you cool VR experiences each week.

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