Ben C.

Ben C.

Age: 12

Easton, Pennsylvania 

Ben discovered his love of WWII history when he asked his mom to take him to the Red Ball Military Transport Show in Gilbert, PA for his birthday. After meeting veterans and talking with WWII Reenactors he was hooked, and ever since then he has been reading and studying everything he can on the subject. He even built an entire bunker and trench system in his back yard off of WWII pictures. For our trip in October, Ben is most excited to follow the path of the 101st Airborne and visit battlefield sites like Brecourt Manor and Carenten. 

Jonathan C.

Jonathan C.

Age: 12

Montgomery, Alabama 

Jonathan comes from a military family with multiple relatives in the Marine Corps and Navy and a grandfather, Phil, who served in the Golden Brigade in Vietnam. From Phil, he inherited his love of history and learning. A favorite fact of Jonathan’s is that the Polish Army had a Bear named Wojtek that “served” in an artillery regiment. He is looking forward to seeing the beaches where the troops came ashore.

Genevieve & Ivan W.

Ivan W. - Age 12

Indio, California 

Genevieve and Ivan W. are 10 and 12 and have been homeschooled in California. Their grandfather and great grandfathers served in the Air Force and the Marines, at Pearl Harbor and in the South Pacific. History is their favorite subject and they have participated in living history, dressing up as historical characters. Genevieve has portrayed the Dutch woman, Corrie Ten Boom, whose family hid many Jews until they were found out and sent to concentration camps. They have read extensive biographies about WWII and are so excited to go to the places where the battles were fought. Ivan is inspired by Winston Churchill and wants to meet a WWII veteran while there is still the opportunity and hopes to go to Iwo Jima one day as well.

Genevieve W. - Age 10

Nathaniel Y.

Nathaniel Y.

Age: 12

China Lake, California

Nathanel’s interest in history started when he was 8 years old. Ever since then he has dreamed of visiting the D-Day beaches and battlefields. His family background is rich in military history, including one grandpa who served in the Navy in WWII, and another grandpa who spent the war in a Japanese internment camp but went on to serve in the US Navy in Vietnam. Nathaniel says, “My dream is to learn and teach WWII history to others, and to help keep history alive… I have spent the last five years learning about WWII and D-Day. I have already learned so much, but if I attend Bridge to History I could learn so much more.”

Clayton M.

Clayton M.

Age: 12

Salt Lake City, Utah

Clayton loves history. One of his favorite ways of connecting with it in a hands-on way is to visit antique stores and thrift shops with his family. “It’s like a treasure hunt, you never know what you might find.” He is currently the youngest member of the Utah Military History Group, and enjoys educating the public on the history of the men of WWII. Clayton has several family members who served in WWII, and his grandfather is a purple heart recipient from Vietnam who served as a door gunner and helicopter mechanic. Clayton has always dreamed of seeing the D-Day beaches. “There was a lot at stake for the allies, the biggest being freedom, prosperity,  but most of all the lives of millions.

Tucker G.

Tucker G.,

Age: 12
San Antonio, Texas

Tucker’s dad and uncles and grandparents were all military: 101st Airborne, Air Force Flight Surgeon, West Point Engineer and Infantry officers, and a great-uncle who was a POW in WWII. Tucker’s favorite story from his uncle is when he was a POW and a German officer asked for his name and information. When his great uncle said “Edwin Ledbetter,” the German replied, “Well, if you were led better, you wouldn’t be here!’! His family life has been hugely impacted by military service, and he has collected books and videos and legos extensively. He is fascinated by the Battle of the Bulge because of the challenging odds and would like most to go to Omaha Beach.