Local WWII veteran raising money for D-Day commemoration film
A local World War II veteran is looking to get some help bringing fellow veterans to France to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
“We remember a lot of things, but we’ve forgotten a lot of things,” George Ciampa, a World War II veteran said.
That’s how George Ciampa describes his memories of the D-Day landings in France during World War II. An operation he has vivid memories of.
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“I was thinking about my mother and how it would affect her if I was killed and I didn’t want to drown,” he said.
He’ll plans to go back to Normandy, with several other veterans to film a special documentary commemorating the 75th anniversary.
“You’ve got a D-Day veteran, taking other D-Day veterans, and doing a film about D-Day,” he said.
Ciampa has produced five documentaries on World War II since 2007, focusing on the European theater. He’s has already raised $50,000 and is looking to raise another $50,000 to make the trip and film happen. With many veterans including himself in their 90s, time is running out.
“Because of the age of all of us, who knows if anyone is going to get back there again,” he said.
Ciampa says the film is more than just a reflection on serving during D-Day and hopes it sends the right message to viewers.
“It’s important in what I’m doing to try to educate the young people in particular about the high price of freedom,” he said.
Freedom, Ciampa knows all to well to never take for granted.
Ciampa says he hopes to have the film completely produced this September and plans to show the film and speak on it at various schools around the Coachella Valley.
Anyone interested in donating can learn about his film and work here and can donate to a GoFundMe here.
