Returning to Oradour-sur-Glane
Last week, I had the privilege of guiding returning guests to Oradour-sur-Glane, a village that stands as one of the most powerful reminders of the tragedies of World War II in France. On June 10, 1944, elements of 2nd SS division “Das Reich” massacred 643 men, women, and children and destroyed the village, leaving ruins […]
In the footsteps of 1st Lt Walter Webster Jr.
Last June, I had the honor of guiding over three days a remarkable family—nieces, nephews, and cousins of First Lieutenant Walter Webster Jr.—through the battlefields of Normandy. For me, it was more than just a tour; it was the privilege of helping them reconnect with a young man whose story deserves to be remembered. Walter […]
In the footsteps of 2nd Lt Bernaldo Marko Peretti
Anniversaries of D-Day are always special and meaningful events, but who you are with and who you meet are what make these events truly special. This week, for the 79th anniversary of D-Day, I had the privilege of guiding David Peretti. David’s father was 2nd Lieutenant Bernaldo Marko Peretti. Lt Peretti served in WWII in […]
Follow up on Harvey Pearson
In a previous post, I mentioned meeting Harvey Pearson, 15th Air Force veteran. Harvey was travelling with nine members of his family including his grandson, Hunter, who received support from his firm, RSM, to organize the trip. For his firm, his family and anyone interested Hunter made a video with his grand-father as well as […]
Meeting MOH recipient Hershel « Woodie » Williams
The high point of my recent trip to the US was meeting Medal of Honor recipient Hershel « Woodie » Williams USMC (ret) following his closing keynote of the International Conference on WWII at the National WWII Museum. Woodie was awarded a Medal of Honor for destroying several Japanese emplacements and bunkers with a flamethrower on Iwo […]
International Conference on WWII 2017
I had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2017 International Conference on WWII at the National WWII Museum in New-Orleans from November 16th to November 19th. I have worked in collaboration with the National WWII Museum since 2014 but this was the first time I was able to visit it. And what a museum! Alongside […]
Gen. von Schlieben’s headquarter
Today, I had the opportunity to visit Gen. Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben’s headquarter during the battle of Cherbourg. On D-Day, Gen. von Schlieben was commander of the 709th German Infantry Division, defending Utah Beach and the eastern coast of the Cotentin peninsula. On the 23rd of June 1944, Hitler appointed him as commander of Festung (fortress) Cherbourg […]
Meeting a 15th AF veteran
I just finished a tour that included a very special guest. Harvey Pearson from Warrenton, Virginia was a left-waist gunner on a B17 in 1944. He flew with the 463rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) as part of the 15th Air Force out of Celone Field, Foggia, Italy. His first missions where over the oilfields of Ploiesti in Romania. […]
A very special anniversary of D-Day
Visiting the landing beaches the first week of June, around the anniversary of D-Day, is always special! Every year, it is a time of celebration and remembrance. Today I was with a group of american guests at the Normandy American Cemetery above Omaha Beach. Following the official ceremony, we organised a more private ceremony and […]