You can feel the pulse of history at Omaha Beach. 79 years since that fateful June day, scars remain on the now peaceful northern coast of France. Standing there, overlooking the sea, the group was taken aback by the site. Here and everywhere they traveled, the ghosts of Europe’s darkest hour shook the group, providing a jarring experience.
Named after the late Charlie Kenney ’06, the Kenney Legacy Trip takes students and teachers across Europe to learn about World War II. Honoring Charlie’s service and devotion to his country, the trip, which is fully funded by the Kenney family, allows students and teachers to grow a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made to keep our country free. This year, Four students, Max Glick ’24, Luke Trevisan ’24, Haden Bottiglieri ’24, Cole Sparks ’24, and two teachers, Mr. Williams and Mr. Bracken ’15, embarked on this journey through Europe.
The trip lasted 10 action-packed days. Starting in London, the group visited the Churchill War Rooms and Bletchley Park. After two days in the UK, the group took the train to Paris, where they toured the Paris War Museum. From there, they drove to Belgium, visiting World War II battle sites such as the Battle of the Bulge. Then, on the coast of the North Sea, the group began traveling west, visiting Dunkirk and Normandy on the way. Finally, back in France, the team made their way back to London and, eventually, the United States.
For the students on the trip, the sites provided a jarring realization of the fragility of freedom. Moreover, it offered them a greater appreciation for the sacrifice so many soldiers gave. For Max Glick ’24, the American Military Cemetery in Normandy was the most impactful site on the trip. Overlooking Omaha Beach, the cemetery is filled with a seemingly endless number of crosses, truly highlighting the scale of the battle. Standing in this solemn memorial, Max was taken aback: “I definitely gained an appreciation for soldiers, both past and present, for allowing us to be free.” Similarly, when asked what site he found most striking, Mr. Bracken paused for a moment, before stating, “The WWI cemetery at Belleau Wood.” Like Max, it was the scale of the cemetery that startled him. Even though he, as a history teacher, is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject, standing in the cemetery made the statistics of lives lost feel “real.”
Overall, the 2023 Kenney Legacy Trip continued its legacy of providing a moving and thought-provoking experience. The power of the trip could be heard in the voices of the participants. The group would like to thank the Kenney family for making this experience possible, and Charlie Kenney ’06 for his willingness to serve his country.
