A Grateful People – How Normandy Still Honors Our WWII Veterans
Posted by Scott Lien, CEO & Co-Founder of GrandPad
May 31, 2025
As I prepare for my trip to Normandy today, I wanted to share more background about the people of Normandy—how they continue to honor and remember the sacrifices made by American and Allied forces in World War II.
The Land of Liberation
On June 6, 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in history took place along the beaches of Normandy, France. Known forever as D-Day, this moment marked the beginning of the end of Nazi occupation in Western Europe. Over 160,000 Allied troops—many of them young Americans—stormed the beaches under heavy fire to liberate France from tyranny.
The victory came at a staggering cost: thousands of soldiers were killed, wounded, or missing in action. But it wasn’t only the Allied soldiers who suffered. The people of Normandy also paid a heavy price. Entire towns were destroyed by bombing, families were displaced, and civilians lived in constant fear and uncertainty. Many lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their loved ones.
Yet even through that pain, hope was reborn. As Allied troops pushed inland, they brought with them not just freedom, but compassion, food, and the promise of peace. The people of Normandy never forgot.
The Girl Who Wore Freedom
One of the most powerful ways this story is told is through a moving documentary titled “The Girl Who Wore Freedom.”
This film tells the true story of Dany Patrix, a young French girl who, in June 1944, wore a dress sewn from an American flag to welcome Allied soldiers to her village after the liberation. It’s a story of innocence, hope, and deep appreciation—woven together with the voices of French citizens who remember the war and the American heroes who brought them freedom.
🎥 Watch the trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiYy3VW5Ep0
📺 You can watch the full movie on YouTube and other major streaming services.
Learn more here:
https://thegirlwhoworefreedom.com/
A Personal Introduction from Virginie Durr
I first became involved with this project thanks to my friend and fellow patriot, Virginie Durr. Virginie is a proud native of Normandy and a tireless advocate for veterans. She works with Delta Air Lines, where she helps tell the stories of gratitude, resilience, and remembrance that echo across this region.
Virginie introduced me to this film and helped me see Normandy not just as a place where battles were fought—but as a land still defined by honor, hospitality, and heartfelt remembrance.
Her passion is contagious. She reminds me that freedom isn’t just a historical event—it’s something we must continue to fight for, cherish, and teach.
Why This Matters
Too often, history fades. But in Normandy, history lives in the present. Children wave American flags. Storefronts proudly display photos of WWII heroes. Veterans are treated like royalty—and rightly so.
The people of Normandy are showing us what it means to truly remember and honor. I’m inspired by their devotion and reminded that gratitude is a powerful legacy. And at GrandPad, we’re proud to play a small part in sharing these stories and celebrating those who made them possible.
I start my trip to Normandy today and will be providing daily blog updates of my trip. I’m so excited to spend time with our WWII Veterans and hear their stories and honor them!
📬 Feel free to share this link who others so they can sign up and get daily updates:
https://www.grandpad.net/normandy-updates
Let’s never forget what was sacrificed—and let’s follow Normandy’s example by passing that gratitude forward.
With deep appreciation,
Scott Lien
CEO & Co-Founder
GrandPad
