Local cadets to miss D-Day ceremony in France after delayed flight

ATLANTA, Ga. — A flight delay is not putting a major damper on a group of cadets venturing to France for the 70^th anniversary of D-Day.

Thirty cadets and seven chaperones from Athens’ Cedar Shoals High leaving for France for the commemoration ceremony were delayed at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The group was supposed to leave Tuesday, but their flight was delayed four hours, chaperone Lt. Col. Eric Cleveland said.

"Because of the delay, we missed a connecting flight leaving from JFK to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport,” Cleveland said.

Due to the setback, the group will no longer be able to partake in the ceremony, but will march in the parade and visit the beaches of Normandy.

Cleveland said the change in plans has not put a damper in the group’s plans.

“This is incredible. This is a trip of a lifetime for these kids. Many of them have never been outside of Clarke County, much less the states,” Cleveland said.

The group is scheduled to arrive in France on Thursday.

WSBTV