My father Thomas Hamilton Kennedy survived World War II after being shot just above his heart. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery, and I think of him everyday.
I will especially think of him this Thursday, as the world marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, when 24,000 heroes like my dad jumped out of planes and parachuted onto the beaches in Normandy, France.
More than 160,000 allied forces changed the world in this place so far away. Sadly more 9,000 of them did not survive, but the world did, thanks to their sacrifice.
These humble men weren't the only heroes from this bloody battle. More than 13,000 aircraft (and over 5,000 ships) supported the mission, and you can see some of them not far from here off of route 390.
The National Warplane Museum will host its annual Airshow in Geneseo July 12 - 14, hosting airships like the legendary movie "Memphis Belle", a B-17 that joins the C-47 "Whiskey 7" in Geneseo to provide historical perspective of the flying fortresses that were part of history 75 years ago this week.
You'll also be able to see heroes from our volunteer forces of today as the Air Force A-10 Demo Team will fly above the Genesee Valley up the road from us in a little over a month.
As a salute to unselfish heroes like my dad who gave their blood for us, please share this story from CBS "Sunday Morning" about those who flew the stalwart machines into harm's way on June 6, 1944. God bless our troops everyday