Fellow American,

I left home at age 17 to fight in World War II.

After my initial training with the U.S. Navy – where I learned how to swim for the first time – I sailed from New York City on the RMS Queen Mary, not knowing where I would be sent.

Above: My friends at the American Veterans Center recorded a video documentary about my experience in World War II. I was proud to share my story with the next generation.

Months later, on D-Day, I was a half-mile off Omaha Beach on a ship, where I was working to coordinate communications for the invasion.

Later, I would learn the full scope of the D-Day plans, from the critical victories that Allied Forces achieved to the tremendous cost of brave soldiers’ lives.

But on that day, with Allied planes flying overhead, Nazi artillery shells coming off the beach, and keeping up with rapid Morse code messages, I focused on my part in the broader mission.

Nearly 75 years later, I was proud to share my experience at D-Day and my time serving our country in a video documentary with my friends at the American Veterans Center.

As I’ve learned first-hand, no other organization is doing as much as the American Veterans Center for the legacies of World War II veterans like me.

That's why, when my friends at the American Veterans Center explained that they needed help to continue raising financial support for their critically important work, I was eager to write to you today.

Friend, will you make a generous tax-deductible contribution of $25, $50, $75, $100, $250, $500, or more to the American Veterans Center right now? Your support will mean a great deal to AVC’s mission -- and to me personally, too.

I’ve experienced many of the American Veterans Center’s outstanding programs first-hand, including:

AVC’s Annual Conference, which brings together American veterans from all generations to speak with hundreds of students and military cadets. I’m proud to see the legacy of the World War II generation passed on directly to our young people.

The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., which the American Veterans Center brought back as a proud tradition after it had lain dormant for decades. The National Memorial Day Parade is our nation’s largest Memorial Day commemoration, with participants from my World War II generation to active-duty servicemembers today.

AVC’s video documentary project, which records veterans’ stories of their service – in their own words – to enter our shared historical record. I was honored to film a video documentary with the American Veterans Center, and it means a great deal to know that it has been watched by thousands online and will be made available to groups like the Library of Congress, presidential libraries, and World War II and military historians.

As a non-profit organization, the American Veterans Center depends on the support of patriotic Americans like you.

Can my fellow World War II veterans and I count on you to help AVC preserve our legacy with a gift of $25, $50, $75, $100, $250, $500, or more today?

I’ve always been keenly aware of the great sacrifice made by American soldiers, sailors, and airmen on D-Day – and the families who never got to welcome their loved ones home.

As one of the last D-Day soldiers in America today, it’s my honor to partner with the American Veterans Center to honor the memory of the men and women who served with me in World War II.

But for AVC to continue their critical programs, they urgently need the support of patriotic, service-minded Americans like you.

Please, if I can count on you – make your most generous gift of $25, $50, $75, $100, $250, $500, or more to help support the American Veteran Center’s work to honor veterans’ legacies today.

Thank you,

Carl Felton

World War II Veteran

For the American Veterans Center

The mission of the American Veterans Center and the World War II Veterans Committee is to preserve and promote the legacy and experiences of America's veterans and active duty service personnel from World War II through today.

A non-profit educational organization, the AVC and WWIIVC are funded solely through generous contributions from people like you. All contributions are tax-deductible.

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