Meeting with veterans William “Magic Bill” Hunter and Eugene “Gene” Kleindl
Type :
Meet
Date:
October 25 2023
Hour :
17 h
Where:
Normandy Victory Museum - Greenfield Room
Price:
Free
Reservation ?
No - Placement is by order of arrival
A meeting marked by memory and transmission
On October 25, 2023, the Normandy Victory Museum welcomes veterans William “Magic Bill” Hunter et Eugene “Gene” Kleindl.
While staying in France with their families, the two men toured places marked by the war. from the beaches of Normandy to Bastogne, in an act of remembrance and tribute to their brothers in arms.
Two paths, two commitments
Eugene “Gene” Kleindl
Born in 1922 in Minnesota, Eugene Kleindl celebrates his 101st birthday in 2023. In 1944, he served as a Combat Medic in the 358th Medical Detachment of the 90th Infantry Division and landed in Normandy on June 8.
He was photographed by Florent Plana for the "Portraits of Veterans" exhibition at the museum. Plana is also accompanying him on this return trip to Normandy.
William “Magic Bill” Hunter
Born in 1923, William Hunter celebrated his 100th birthday in 2023. A member of the US Navy, he fought in the Pacific. His trip to Normandy was undertaken to pay tribute to his comrades-in-arms.
A moment of sharing with the public
More than 120 people attended this meeting, coming to listen and exchange ideas with these two veterans.
Among the guests present, Jean Turcot, 105 years old, a veteran of the French campaign, also shared his story, prolonging this moment of great human intensity.
This meeting, made possible in particular thanks to Florent Plana, testifies to the importance of direct transmission between witnesses of History and the public.
Florent Plana
He initiated this meeting and dedicates a large part of his work to collecting testimonies from veterans, whom he has been meeting for several years. To date, there are nearly 850 of them.