TAMPA, Fla. — For the last time, the Florida Elks Association is sending World War II veterans to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6.

The organization says this is the last year because of the declining number of World War II veterans and their rising ages.

What You Need To Know

  • Several World War II will make a final trip to Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day 

  • The Florida Elks Association says the decision to end the trips is due to the declining number of World War II veterans and their rising ages 

  • The plane took off Monday with four veterans who will be overseas for eight days

One of the veterans making the trip is 98-year-old Hector Hita.

"The war is not easy," he said. "You leave your family behind, your wife, your mother, and then you go to the front line and you don't know if you're going to come back home."

Hector served in the Army as a paratrooper.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Hector said he joined the Army while visiting the Bronx at 17 years old.

He was at the movies when he saw a video of troops fighting overseas.

"I said to myself, if those kids can do it, I can do it," he said. "So when I got out of from the movies I think I spent about half an hour by the door and I said do I finish school or join the army? Well, I'm going to join the army."

The memories Hector has from the war are vast, and while Hector is looking forward to seeing his friends left behind overseas, he wants people to remember the sacrifices of all those who served.

The plane took off Monday with four veterans who will be overseas for eight days.