OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – A new EAA exhibit dedicated to the Allied invasion at Normandy, France 75 years ago, had a 94-year-old World War II veteran take part on Thursday.
Army Ranger Rene Kepperling, from Fond du Lac, took part in D-Day and cut the ceremonial ribbon for their new exhibit, D-Day Plus 75.
The exhibit features a variety of artifacts donated by families in the Fox Valley.
“Surviving D-Day, that was a big deal,” says Kepperling.
He served as a sniper in the 5th Battalion, E Company and was among those who landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
According to him, others had it worse that day.
“The guys that came up the cliff, they had it pretty bad,” he says.
But no matter who you were, it was a striking scene.
“We were all pretty scared to death,” Kepperling explains. “All hell was opening up in front of us. Bullets were flying all over the place. Artillery. And the sky was littered with our planes. That was good. But there were a lot of dead, falling down.”
Kepperling said during a brief ceremony that he was honored to represent his fellow soldiers who never came home.
“We were brothers, blood brothers and they’re all gone. I’m the last one in the area. It’s lonesome.,” he says.
According to exhibit organizers, their goal is to pay tribute to men like Kepperling.
“Seventy-five years ago, he was on the beach at Omaha Beach fighting against the Nazis and to have those stories first person, it’s something we have to treasure right now,” says EAA spokesman Dick Knapinski.
Veteran Bruce Taugner, who had two uncles serve in the war, came from Appleton to take part in the day.
“This is an outstanding exhibit,” says Taugner. “To think of what these men went through so that we could be here today looking at history. I thank God for their lives and bless them every day.”
Even at an event to honor him, Kepperling’s thoughts are with those who didn’t come home
“Freedom is not free. Somebody has to fight for it,” Kepperling said. “Ever since 1776, somebody has died to fight for our freedom. We just cannot forget these people.”
D-Day Plus 75 is located in the EAA Aviation Museum’s Eagle Hangar and it includes a rare D-Day landing craft, weapons used in the invasion, and artifacts from both sides of World War II.
