Our names are Florent Plana and Jenny Post, and this past winter, we were very fortunate to interview WWII veterans Loui Stoel and Igniatus De Generos. With your help, we would love to be able to bring these men back for a week in June 2024, for the 80th anniversary of DDay.

During the Second World War, these two men joined the military at a very young age in order to do their part in the fight against Nazi tyranny and to help liberate Europe. It’s been 80 years since these brave men fought in that terrible conflict, and they wish to return for the first time to see the same places where they engaged in combat and lost so many friends during the liberation of Normandy and France.

Two other veterans will join the group during that week, including Ceo Bauer who served in the US 95th Infantry Division and Jean Turco who is 106 years old and served in the French Army in 1940. We will cover some of their expenses as well during their trip.

This trip in Normandy will allow these brave men to visit their former battlefields but also to visit several American cemeteries and the final resting place of some of their friends and men they served with during WWII.

The money we hope to collect will cover the expense of two veterans and their guardians.

Ignatius “Iggy” De Genero landed on Omaha Beach in June 1944, and was assigned to the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division, with his longtime friend Otavio J. Cochi. Both of them saw their first combat during the Bloody Battle of Hill 192 just outside of St-Lo. During the night of June 24th, 1944, while Iggy was on a patrol, his unit was engaged by the enemy and Iggy was captured and taken prisoner. He was sent to Germany to a POW camp where he would spend the rest of the war until he was liberated by allied forces in 1945. It’s not until the end of the war that Iggy found out that his close friend Otavio J. Cochi was killed in action on June 25th, 1944, the day after Iggy was captured.

Iggy has never returned to the area where he bravely fought and was taken prisoner over 80 years ago. It would be very meaningful as well for Iggy to see the place where his friend Otavio J. Cochi paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Louie Stoel was a member of the U.S. Army 45th Infantry Division which was engaged in many campaigns in Europe during WWII. Louie saw heavy combat in Italy and France where he was wounded in action twice. He took part in several battles including the Battle of Anzio and the landing in Southern France in August 1944, codenamed “Operation Dragoon”. His unit sadly never received the recognition they so rightly deserved. Louie never had the opportunity to return to France since the end of the war and has never experienced the appreciation of people who received their freedom back thanks to his sacrifice. It is our hope for Louie, that this trip will help him experience recognition for all he’s done for our freedom. As well to bring a spotlight and a greater understanding for all the men who fought in Italy and southern France.

Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated and will go towards helping these American heroes to return.

Plane tickets: $7000

Transportation: $1,500

Lodging (hotel in Paris): $700

Food (four veterans and escorts): $4,000