This year, one Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, or JROTC, high school program from each state was invited to the 70th D-Day anniversary commemoration in Normandy, France.Cadets from across the United States who participated in the commemoration walked in the steps of those who shaped history and met World War II veterans who also participated in this historic event.Participating cadets visited the St. James American Cemetery and the General Patton Cemetery, also known as American Cemetery, in Normandy, for special ceremonies.They also visited Omaha Beach for the opening ceremony, and marched in the D-Day parade that went through the center of town in Sainte Mere Eglise – the street also knows as Dwight D. Eisenhower Ave.VIPs from the Allied forces that fought in the invasion – British, Americans, Canadians, French, and Dutch – were present, and cadets also met international World War II veterans.They saw the re-enactment of the paratrooper drop that commemorated the liberation of the village of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, and spent a day in Paris where they celebrated the 125th anniversary of the dedication of the Eiffel Tower.Army JROTC Cadet Emma Bahm, a junior at Gettysburg High School in Gettysburg, Penn., said she wants to honor the D-Day vets for the sacrifice they made and walk where they walked.However, for Bahm, it is more personal than that."Two of my great-grandfathers stormed the beaches during that time, and one of them was killed shortly afterward," she explained. "But I’m also excited to see the city of Paris and the Eiffel Tower."Cadets from other schools also said they were excited to be invited to the ceremonies and discussed their own lists of expectations.As a junior from Benson High School in Omaha, Neb., Cadet William Combs said his main motivation for participating was to honor D-Day veterans, and see where the "greatest generation" fought.In preparation for the trip, Combs did extensive research on D-Day, which included speaking with two World War II D-Day veterans. Part of his research included Paris – a city he is excited to see and explore as much for its history as its beauty."My expectations are pretty high. I can’t wait to see the actual place where everything happened," he explained. "I am excited to represent my country and my state, honored to have the opportunity, and honored to be [one of] the last generation to hear the stories from those who survived."The Army and Navy Academy JROTC program, located in Carlsbad, Calif., hosted a Normandy Reflection Ceremony Sept. 11, 2014, where cadets shared their Normandy experience, what it meant to them and how they think it will shape their lives.But getting to France wasn’t easy. Cadets had to raise the money through various fundraising projects.Cadet Jessica Situ, a senior at Francis Lewis High School, N.Y., said her family helped her raise the money, but she also participated in the different fundraising events. This trip is important to her because she said she wanted to explore the sites where history was made, and meet veterans who fought in World War II."I think that marching in the Sainte-Mere-Eglise D-Day parade means more to me because it’s an honor to be chosen to represent New York in the parade," she explained.Adding, "I get to meet veterans and explore historic sites, which is something I enjoy doing a lot, and I will participate in history."Several cadets from Gettysburg High School and from the Army and Navy Academy missed their high school commencements in favor of attending the D-Day events."We have six graduating seniors on the trip, so we’ll conduct a graduation ceremony in Sainte-Mere-Eglise on June 4," Lt. Col. Michael Wertz, USA, Ret., the JROTC senior instructor, said.Adding, "The plan is to upload video of the event for playback during the graduation ceremony back home on June 6, and link in to observe the ceremony from our hotel that night."For some of the cadets, participation in something as historic and memorable as this trip is more important than a graduation."I have only been [at this school] for two years and remembering those who gave their lives is more important than my graduation," said Cadet Dakota Peterson.As a senior who missed his graduation, Cadet Bryant Claeys had a family member at D-Day so his decision was fairly easy."My grandfather fought at D-Day and I would like to honor him and all the other veterans," he explained. "But I expect it will be a fun learning trip with many cultural experiences for us."(Editor’s note: This story is based on a report by Rachael Tolliver, U.S. Army Cadet Command.)