KESHENA, Wis. — Thursday, several local veterans are leaving for a trip honoring the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which will take them back to Normandy, France, on June 6.

The trip, organized by the Greatest Generation Foundation, will include 70 veterans from across the U.S.

What You Need To Know

  • Keshena, Wis., resident Vaughn Collicott has spent most of his 100 years in Wisconsin, but at 19-years-old, he left the Badger State to join the Navy during World War II

  • He’s one of four World War II veterans from Wisconsin taking an honor flight to Normandy

  • June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when tens of thousands of American and allied troops stormed the shorelines of Normandy

Keshena, Wis., resident Vaughn Collicott has spent most of his 100 years in Wisconsin, but at 19-years-old, he left the Badger State to join the Navy during World War II.

Collicott said he never imagined he’d be part of one of the most well-known U.S. military battles, the June 6, 1944, D-Day operation.

“I was on a destroyer and I was a fire control technician and worked in the electrical center of the ship,” Collicott said.

June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when tens of thousands of American and allied troops stormed the shorelines of Normandy.

Collicott was onboard the USS Meredith, a Navy ship, and remembered his quarters being bombed.

“I knew something bad happened because I was sitting on a stool at the time and the explosion blew me off the stool over against the wall on the forward part of the room,” Collicott said.

Vaughn served three years in the Navy and then returned to Wisconsin. Years later, he wrote a book about his experience.

He said he’s thankful to take part in this honor flight and excited to see how Normandy has changed. He’s one of four World War II veterans from Wisconsin taking the trip.

“It’s gonna be a lot different because things are the situation is not the same. I mean, they’re not trying to knock planes out of the air,” Collicott said.

Gidget Peerenboom, Collicott’s granddaughter, will travel with him to Normandy. Peerenboom said she’s honored to share this historic journey with him.

“I just grew up listening to stories, so I’m excited to go back to the place where all this took place and I’m excited for him,” Peerenboom said.

Eight decades later, Collicott said he’s proud of his wartime military service. While he took part in many acts of bravery, Collicott said there’s one thing he’s not: A hero.

“I don’t feel as though I’m a hero. I’m the same person that I was 19 when I joined the Navy,” Collicott said.

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