At 101, D-Day US veteran and TikTok star “Papa Jake” heads to France for 80th anniversary

in the backyard of his California home Jake Larsson loves hoisting the flags of the two countries he fought so hard to protect 80 years ago this is one of the heroes of the second world war who landed on the Normandy beaches in 1944 he has an emotional attachment to both the United States and France I’m getting tears in my eyes because I love them both it is part of my life and the bigger part of my life if if if if we wouldn’t have kicked Hitler’s ass out of France we’d have been talking German here Jake signed up to the US National Guard at just 15 years old before ending up in the Infantry on the morning of the 6th of June 1944 he and his comrades landed on Omaha Beach we got off in water that was up to by chin and we were warned that that the beach was mine is crazy and I had two mg42 machine guns shooting at me from from different angles above once on the beach Jake hid himself behind a small rock where he suddenly felt the need for a cigarette at that time everybody smoked so I sensed a soldier to my left and I said hey buddy have you got a match I got no answer so I looked and there was a solders there all right and there was no head under the helmet it’s like that that soldier’s Soul was talking to me and telling me get up right now and run the 101y old veteran has made sure to keep his memories of the Normy Landings alive passing them on to his children grandchildren and great grandchildren papa how do you feel about going back to Normandy with the rise of modern technology and with the help of his family Jake started to share his story across social media Papa Jake here Papa Jake as he is known now has over 800,000 followers and over 8.5 million likes on Tik Tok it’s really cool because we get the chance to show everyone it’s like I’ve grown up with him my whole life Papa Jake’s biggest fans are here in France my French family he met these children two years ago at the Normandy Landings commemorations in a few days Jake will be back on Omaha Beach to honor his comrades who fell in battle who he calls the true heroes of The Landings

World War Two US Army veteran Jake Larson, who goes by the name “Papa Jake,” is 101 years old and a survivor of D-Day, history’s largest amphibious invasion on June 6, 1944, and he is heading to France for the 80th anniversary to honour the brothers-in-arms who did not make it home.
#PapaJake #DDay #WWII

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22 comments

  1. The American warrior spirit and strength is incredibly strong. A hero among heroes. Best wishes, Staff Sergeant ‘Papa Jake’ Larson. From a lieutenant colonel.

  11. This man is a true treasure God Bless him and God Bless the USA, now more than ever. Thank you ,Papa Jake for saving us and France

  12. As a 17 year old young man, I am genuinely inspired by the men of the Silent and Greatest Generations like Mr.Larson. That’s why I plan to join the US Army soon.

    God bless America 🇺🇸

  17. Papa Jake would support NATO forever. Remember Papa Jake and his fellow allies when you vote for politicians. If they want to get out of NATO, vote for someone else.

  19. Ces commemorations, reunissant les etats democratiques…sont belles et enthousiasmantes…merci a tous ceux qui nous ont libérés…qui ont libéré l'europe..de la terreur..ça me rend fiere de mon pays de voir de si belles organisations pour les 80 ans du debarquement en Normandie….

  20. Papa Jake, hats off to you and your fallen Brothers-in-arms 🫡🫡🫡

    Thank you for all you’ve done to ensure we have our freedoms. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

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