dropping bombs during world war i. then after immigrating to the u.s., she joined the army and was stationed in england where one night she suddenly witnessed the start of the d-day assault roaring outside. >> the sky was full of planes and gliders and it was the normandy invasion! >> in the early hours of june 6, 1944, u.s. army private bee cohen was startled to hear and see thousands of planes in the sky en route to france. >> nobody knew where -- even aboard ship, nobody knew when or where or what the normandy invasion. we knew it was the beginning and end of world war ii. >> 11 months later, the war in europe did end but for bea the service to her adopted and beloved country was far from over. >> look at this. >> now at 102, cohen still hand sews blankets for the parade of veterans who cycle through this