Travel to WW2 B-17 Memorial Dedication in Germany

Hello!

My name is Armando Valentine, I'm a high school Senior from Canton, Ohio and I am raising money to travel to Germany this summer to attend the dedication of a WWII Memorial to the lost crewman of a B-17G Heavy Bomber named "Strictly GI". The bomber was shot down over Lachen-Speyerdorf, Germany on September 9th, 1944 and my Grand Uncle, SGT Herman J. Valentine (back row, far left on cover photo), was the Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner of Strictly GI. He, along with 5 others, of the 9 man crew, was killed when the plane crashed. Three years ago, the crash site was discovered and an extensive excavation operation was undertaken (see attached links below). The next of kin were notified, including my father (who is named after my Grand Uncle), and have been kept up to date on the excavation progress. We have been notified that the excavation is complete and that a large stone monument, dedicated to the crewmembers and B-17G "Strictly GI" will be dedicated at the crash site in July, 2023. As remaining next of kin to SGT Herman J. Valentine, he has been invited to attend the ceremony in Germany. I would like to attend this historic event with him and am working and saving to help cover the cost of airfare and related expenses, but with the short time remaining until the dedication date and the high cost of air travel to Germany, I don't think I'll reach my funding goal without some help! Any financial help will be greatly appreciated and I will do my utmost to represent you all and the USA in the best possible way while honoring the memory of my Grand Uncle, SGT Herman Valentine, his fellow lost aircrewmen and B-17G "Strictly GI"

Additionally, any funds raised over the goal will be donated to the Heimatforschung Rheinland-Pfalz, the organization that is responsible for excavating and erecting memorials to these lost allied aircrews.

Thank You in advance for your kind assistance in this effort!

Armando N. Valentine

Links:

https://www.ig-heimatforschung.de/projekte-luftkrieg/b-17-flying-fortress-43-37594-speyerdorf/

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/aug/04/from-spokane-to-germany-and-back-the-last-flight-o/

https://www.post-gazette.com/local/region/2019/08/10/B-17-American-bomber-crew-75-years-later-Robert-Hankey-Butler-Sgt-Joe-Kasperko-McKees-Rocks/stories/201908110039

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