The June 6, 1944, D-Day invasion of Nazi-occupied France was unprecedented in scale and audacity, using the largest-ever armada of ships, troops, planes and vehicles to punch a hole in Adolf Hitler’s defenses in western Europe and change the course of World War II.

Parachutists jumping from World War II-era planes hurled themselves into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged to kick off a week of ceremonies to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

More than 60 veterans of World War II took off Friday from Dallas to France, where they will take part in ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day.