Some local JROTC cadets spent their Sunday morning feeding the community in an effort to raise money for an important trip.
The cadets hosted a pancake breakfast at VFW Post 2503 to raise money for a trip to France on the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Veteran Rex Drucker tells 6 News that it a life-changing trip to a piece of living history. "It's like anything, if you can see it, you can understand it more." Drucker served in Vietnam, and said he is rooting for the high school kids to get the funds they need to get to Normandy.
JROTC Cadet Susie Valderrabano tells 6 News that they want to learn about America's past. "It's really cool to see what's out there and what you haven't learned in school, because it's the kind of stuff that text books can't teach you."
OPS Army Instruction Director Michael Debolt tells 6 News that the plan is for the students to march in the official D-Day parade on June 6th. They would then spend additional days in France talking with veterans and soaking up WWII history. "Just the opportunity to see Omaha Beach, and Pointe du Hoc and visit Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first town liberated by the allies. The students come back with a different realization of what WWII was all about."
In previous overseas trips, Debolt took about 30 students, this year they're trying to give 80 metro students the opportunity to go.
The trip costs roughly $3,000 per student and the group has been fundraising for two years.
The cadets will hold another fundraiser on April 27., a four mile D-Day run at Lake Zorinsky. Donations can also be made to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation.
(Photo courtesy of 6 News)