Instagram story viewer> @nel.son71> Tagged

Nelson Harris

@nel.son71

1.2K

followers

1094

following

@cmspolo, @bdf_nextgen

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

see you next summer 😉

265

88

happy 3 years i love you ❤️

360

81

Noozle

220

37

I am honored to say, that for the second time, I was given the opportunity to join The Best Defense Foundation as a member of the NextGen group, to bring 27 WWII Veterans back to Normandy for the 82nd Anniversary of D-Day.

Over the course of 10 days, we brought the veterans back to the places they fought. They rode in jeeps, down to the beaches they helped free. Honored those buried under the white Crosses and Stars of David. Remembered the names written on the Wall of the Missing. But most importantly, they were welcomed back by the people of Normandy with thanks, gratitude, and love.

Joe Schott Reunited with a young British girl, Sophie, who he became close to while stationed in Northern Ireland. Ed Albrecht visited his late Brother-in-law, who is buried at the Normandy-American Cemetery. 100 Year Old Ed Sandy, took his first step onto Omaha Beach since landing there 82 years ago, at only 18. And 3 of our veterans, 107 Year Old Albert Rose, 101 Year Old Ed Albrecht, and 100 Year Old Ed Sandy, received the French Legion of Honour upon landing in Normandy.

We honored those in our BDF Family that we have lost in the past year. Melvin Hurwitz, George Reitmeier, Betty Huffman-Rosevear, Louis Brown, Jake "Papa Jake" Larson, Howard Buford, Cletis Bailey, and all other members of our Family who have passed. They all left an impact on our hearts and lives, we will never forget them, and we will be sure to pass on their stories.

There are no words to express my gratitude towards The Best Defense Foundation for all that they do for our Veterans of all generations, and for creating such an amazing program that allows students to learn directly from the veterans, right where the stories they tell took place. Thank you to @donnie_edwards and @katedwards8 our sponsors, our amazing medical team, @bdfmedical and all of our historians. These last two programs and the foundation as a whole have changed my life and will continue to, and I am endlessly grateful and indebted to everyone who made this possible. A NextGen's job never stops, and I promise to uphold that standard, and to always "Take care of the ones, who took care of us".

135

16

BDF Normandy Return 82 Pt 1

Words fall short when you’re standing on the beaches of Normandy with 27 WWII veterans—men who have seen the horrors of war and know its bitter cost personally. It has been the honor of a lifetime to walk these beaches with them and to hear their stories. All I can say is thank you, and that we will always remember.

@bestdefensefoundation
@bdf_nextgen
@delta

156

18

To the people who made this experience truly unforgettable.

I am beyond grateful to @delta for making this program possible and for the incredible partnership and commitment they continue to share in honoring our veterans and preserving this legacy.

A special thank you to @bestdefensefoundation for the mission, purpose, and heart behind everything they do. You truly do take care of the ones who took care of us!

To the caretakers, nurses, and everyone who works tirelessly behind the scenes… Thank you for the compassion, dedication, and care you give every step of the way.

And to the @bdf_nextgen program: My heart is especially grateful for each and every one of you. Getting to serve alongside you, laugh with you, cry with you, and create memories I will carry forever has been one of the greatest parts of this journey. You guys showed up every day with purpose, compassion, and a willingness to learn. You have made this experience more meaningful than I could ever express.

We are the next generation trusted with carrying these stories forward. I am honored to stand beside each of you as we continue to remember, share, and protect the legacy of those who came before us.

Until next time 🫶🇺🇸

132

26

The 82nd anniversary of D-Day commemorations have come to a close.

It is beyond an honor to be a part of @bestdefensefoundation ‘s mission of taking care of the ones who took care of us. This year, we brought 27 WWII veterans back to the shores where they made history. A handful of which had never been back since 1944. It is so moving to see the French people’s appreciation for these veterans, and to help give them the closure they so rightfully deserve. I’ve learned so much from taking part in these programs, about history and about life, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. There are no words that can fully express what it means or feels like to walk beside these heroes as they return to the places where they fought to secure the freedoms we enjoy today. We should never take their sacrifices for granted.

I want to thank the whole BDF team, our founders Donnie and Kathryn, the caregivers, medical staff, executive team, historians, sponsors @delta @michelin @vetclaims.ai, NextGen, Moussa and of course the veterans themselves. It takes a team effort to make these battlefield returns possible, and that team has become a family. To the @bdf_nextgen group, it’s been such a pleasure watching our team grow and flourish. Let’s keep telling their stories and make sure that history never fades away.

“Life’s too short to go slow” - 1st Lt Wally King 513th Ftr Sq, 406th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force

This post is dedicated to 2nd Lt. Betty Huffman Rosevear of the Army Nurse Corps and SSgt “papa” Jake Larson G3 operations, V Corps.

268

62

I am humbled and honored to have spent the past few days in the company of heroes. I have learned so much from this program. Not just stories and history, but gratitude, teamwork, and patience. I’ve made so many new friends and memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. All of my thanks and love to the Best Defense Foundation for allowing me to take part in this return to Normandy for the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

167

28

Ohara Done… 🐊 #irmb

353

83

Grateful for all of it

404

55

ChrisPPPPPPPPPPPy

376

45

The straw that broke the camels back

3

53