Upstate World War II veteran visits Normandy on D-Day anniversary

WOODRUFF, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - An Upstate World War II veteran returned to the Upstate Thursday night following a trip to Normandy honoring the 79th anniversary of D-Day.

Sgt. George F. Reitmeier was one of the 43 WWII veterans who boarded the flight from Atlanta to Normandy last week.

Reitmeier joined the Army in June 1943 and arrived in England in November 1943.

During his time overseas he was assigned to F Company, 264th Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Division, and spent time-fighting for the Battle of the Bulge. Reitmeier also spent time in the Ardennes, the Lorient sector of Brittany, France and Austria before he eventually returned home in 1946.

As part of the trip, Reitmeier visited schools, beaches, cemeteries, and museums. All the veterans also participated in parades.

“I’ve never seen more tears in all my life as I saw running down people’s faces along the parade route,” says Reitmeier. “They remember what we did and they’re appreciative of it and that meant a lot to, I think, everybody that was in the group.”

The trip was put on by Best Defense Foundation, Delta Airlines, and Michelin.

Reitmeier returned to Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Thursday night.

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