Today is the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, and a few high school students wanted to honor two heroic veterans who served.

Six sophomores at Chapel Hill High School started an effort to raise money – through presentations at school events, working concessions at sporting events and dances, and speaking engagements in their community – to send two World War II veterans to Normandy for the 75th anniversary.

Raising $25,000, the students were able to send Jacques Michienzi (95), an Army Airborne Ranger in WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars, and George Chall (96), a combat medic who served with General George Patton’s Third Army in WWII, to visit Normandy with their loved ones this week.

The students, who study french, accompanied Jacques and George on the trip as interpreters, along with their teachers Tony Carter and Robin McMahon.

Student Elena Lowinger shared, “The reason why I’m standing here is because these men stood here – 75 years ago. As a Jewish girl, it’s something I can never say thank you enough for.”

(MSN)