GREENSBORO, N.C. — In honor of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a number of World War II veterans were invited to go to France to remember fallen soldiers.

What You Need To Know

  • Frank Perry Sr. served in World War II
  • Perry enlisted when he was 17 years old
  • American Airlines invited veterans to Normandy, France

Frank Perry Sr. remembers the war like it just happened.

“Even though it was only 26 months in the service, I remember every day of it. And it was, it was very interesting to tell you the truth,” he said.

He’s 98 years old and still remembers the time he served his country.

Perry enlisted in the army at age 17, but he said convincing his mom was the hardest part.

“I said, 'if I'm in the Air Force, which is where I want to go, when I return from a flying mission, I'll have a warm bed to lay down in,'” he said to his mom. “If I'm in the infantry at nighttime, I'll have to dig a hole in the ground, whether it's wet, cold, dry or muddy, and I said, 'that will be my bed.'”

She agreed, and he later joined the U.S. Air Force and became a bomber flight engineer.

In April 1945 his troop was called in.

“I got two official combat missions in where we actually went out and dropped the bombs,” Perry said. “While we were circling over the channel to form a group of airplanes, we were called back to the station saying that we didn't need to go on a mission because our troops were moving through Germany so fast, they were afraid that we might bomb our own.”

He still has a collection of things during his time in the Air Force.

“This is a shadow box of items that I accumulated during World War II. I have a picture of my flying jacket on, my stripes, where I was the rank of staff sergeant,” Perry said.

He says after the war, there wasn’t much recognition.

“But lately I think there's an awful lot of good recognition taking place. I think the veterans and particularly the Vietnam veterans are worthy of this recognition.”

Perry is excited to travel with his grandson to France to honor those who died fighting for our country.

“It's going to be very exciting,” he said. “There's going to be different people of different ages and different experiences. I'm sure some of these veterans that are going with us have been more involved in the war than I was, and it'll be interesting to hear their stories.”

He says the key to making it to 98 is staying busy and involved.

“I tell everybody I stay away from that lazy boy disease, which is sitting there in a rocking chair and just watching TV all day long. That's going to put you in the grave a lot sooner,” he said.

Perry enjoys being involved with other people, like playing golf with his friends during the week and working out at his local gym.