“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

— Nelson MANDELA

WELCOME

Born from the sacrifice of World War II veterans, Connecting Generations opens historic doors for underserved youth. On the beaches of Normandy, these young leaders—often overlooked at home—are lifted up through mentorship, remembrance, and shared stories of courage. Here, they discover not only the meaning of love for country, but also their own strength, responsibility, and potential to lead. What began as sacrifice in 1944 now becomes opportunity for the next generation.

WHY IT MATTERS

  • HONOR THE PAST — Preserve veterans’ voices as enduring lessons of sacrifice, courage, and freedom.

  • FORGE THE FUTURE — Educate and empower young leaders with the values of duty, honor, and citizenship.

  • HEAL THE PRESENT — Strengthen communities through resilience, empathy, and civic unity.

“Teaching history to young people is not about memorizing dates and events—it is about giving them the tools to understand the past, question the present, and shape the future with wisdom and responsibility.”

— Timothy DAVIS, Founder

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Eligibility - Open to students in grades 10–12 and their educators. The program is fully funded, with all travel, lodging, meals, and educational materials provided.

Duration - An eight-day immersive journey through Normandy, where history comes alive on the very landscapes that shaped it.

Curriculum - Developed in partnership with World War II veterans, blending history, leadership, and empathy into transformative field learning experiences.

Core Values - Duty • Honor • Courage • Commitment — principles that guided a generation and continue to inspire the leaders of tomorrow.

Group of children and elderly people gathered on a stage in front of a building decorated with flags and banners for a school or community event.
Group of young people in red shirts standing outdoors, holding a red banner that reads 'USC NAVAL ROTC', with a flag in the center, in a park-like setting with trees and flags in the background.
Group of people gathered inside a room with paintings of veterans on the wall, large window to the right, and a stained glass window on the back wall.
Group photo of young people and two older individuals wearing commemorative jackets and shirts, standing outside a building with beige walls and white window shutters, celebrating a remembrance event.
Group of elderly veterans and supporters gathered outdoors around a memorial, some wearing medals and hats, holding an American flag.
Group of veterans, including military officers in uniform, posing together outdoors on a pathway, some wearing hats with military insignia. The background features a rural landscape with fields and trees.
Group of people standing in front of a World War II bunker with a large artillery cannon.
Large group of people sitting on the steps of a historic building with European architecture, arched windows, and flags flying above the entrance.

“This journey deepened my understanding of leadership and the cost of freedom.”

— Robert HEILMAN, Class of 2024