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Breitling donations send D-Day vets to memorial
A group of 65 World War II veterans from Florida were able to visit a D-Day memorial this month thanks to Breitling’s support of Honor Flight Network, a nonprofit organization that helps veterans travel for free.
On June 6, veterans from southeast Florida who stormed the beaches of Normandy 70 years earlier took a flight to visit the national memorial dedicated to their service in Bedford, Va. There they were met by 300 other D-Day survivors.
The next day they flew to Washington, D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial, where they were welcomed by former U.S. Sens., and husband and wife, Bob and Elizabeth Dole.
The flights were provided by Honor Flight, to which Breitling has donated more than $200,000 to date.
In 2013, Breitling produced a limited-edition 56-piece Honor Flight watch, the proceeds of which were donated to the organization. A 2014 Breitling Honor Flight watch now has been introduced, and proceeds again will benefit Honor Flight.
The 2014 Breitling Honor Flight watch is based on the brand’s Navitimer 01 timepiece and is equipped with the Caliber 01, the exclusive in-house chronograph movement created by Breitling. The Honor Flight logo is featured on the caseback along with the inscription “Honor Flight--One Last Mission.”
“To be able to celebrate and recognize D-Day survivors on the 70th anniversary of such a monumental day in history is truly a unique way to thank them for their service,” said Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert. “Time is running out for many of these veterans, so we’re honored to have the chance to work with Honor Flight Network to give them ‘one last mission’ and honor them as they so rightly deserve.”
The Honor Flight, whose mission is to send veterans to visit the memorial dedicated to their service in Washington free of charge, has sent more than 118,000 to the city.
“Many of these veterans will not be around for the next anniversary, so we are truly honored that Breitling was able to make this happen with their substantial donation,” said Jeff Miller, co-founder of the Honor Flight Network.
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