GRAND ISLAND, N.Y. -- A World War II hero from Grand Island was honored Thursday night with the groundbreaking for an expansion of the memorial that bears his name.
Private First Class Charles DeGlopper died while saving the lives of his comrades during the invasion of Normandy. The memorial expansion means his legacy will live on for generations to come.
DeGlopper lost his life on June 9, 1944 when his unit was caught in an ambush in Normandy and came under German fire. Knowing his platoon was in trouble, DeGlopper jumped into the middle of the road and started firing at the Nazi soldiers to distract them, sacrificing his own life.
"Charles DeGlopper did in giving his life, sacrificing himself so that the rest of his battalion could continue to fight and continue to fight for us, really, it's just what struck home and the fact that he is, you know, a Grand Island native, just was something that made us so proud," said Kaitlin Brummer.
Brummer is on the DeGlopper Memorial Expansion Committee. The goal is to transform an old gas station parking lot into an expanded memorial honoring not only DeGlopper, but all U.S. veterans doubling the size of the current memorial at the corner of Grand Island Boulevard and Baseline Road.
"We also want it not just to be a place where people can come and pay their respects, but also where children and families can come and learn so we're going to try and add in so elements for learning as we grow it," said Brummer.
By the time it opens next year, a seven foot tall statue of DeGlopper will stand where the groundbreaking was held. It will be on a gold star honoring the mothers of fallen servicemen and women surrounded by walls etched with the names of veterans.
"I just can't describe it all. I just love it," says Raymond DeGlopper.
Raymond DeGlopper was just a boy when his Uncle Charlie was killed. DeGlopper lives on Grand Island, and the support for the project shown by the community Thursday night touched his heart.
"It's just nice to see all these people here. That's the nicest thing. I like to see the support for the project. The support for it is probably the biggest thing I like to see," said DeGlopper.
The memorial expansion will cost $750,000. There's a fundraising effort underway through Facebook, a gofundme page, and via email.