November 6th: D-DAY 80th Anniversary Celebration

On November 6, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 p.m., the SoCal French-American Chamber of Commerce (SoCal FACC) will host a special event at the Intercontinental San Diego to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The evening will honor veterans of the Normandy landings, with seven of these heroes, aged between 98 and 104, in attendance. Veterans Clayton B. Baum, Bill Becker, Andre Chappaz, Betty Rosevear, Peter S. Sanzo, and Calvin Shiner will share their experiences of courage and sacrifice, offering attendees a unique, firsthand perspective on their historic contributions to freedom and peace.

The event will feature a distinguished guest, Adrien Frier, Consul General of France in Los Angeles, who will join the celebration. This gathering, held in partnership with Delta, Intercontinental San Diego, and the Best Defense Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to supporting veterans of historic conflicts—aims to honor the enduring legacy of the Normandy landings. It also highlights the continued partnership between France and the United States. The veterans participated in the 80th-anniversary Battlefield Return Program to Normandy in June 2024, a collaboration between Delta and the Best Defense Foundation that allowed them to revisit the sites of their bravery.

Guests at this tribute event will not only have the chance to connect and network but also to engage with these veterans, hear their remarkable stories, and celebrate the strong Franco-American ties. Sylvie Almeri, Managing Director of the SoCal FACC, emphasized the privilege of honoring these veterans, noting that the event reinforces the shared values and bond between the two nations.

Adding to the evening’s excitement, attendees can enter two exclusive giveaways: Delta will provide two round-trip Main Cabin tickets from the USA to Paris, and the Intercontinental San Diego will offer a luxurious night's stay. These prizes further commemorate the occasion, making it memorable for the guests as they celebrate a significant historical milestone and honor the courage and resilience of the D-Day veterans.