A passion for World War II history led West Chester University student Adam MacMillan to accompany a 98-year-old D-Day veteran Bob Gibson to Normandy, France, writes Susan Snyder for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

MacMillan has been interested in U.S. military history since he learned that three of his great uncles had fought in World War II. This passion continued to grow as he met more veterans and heard their stories. 

He was also happy to accept their uniforms and other items they carried on battlefields and has since managed to amass a military history collection in the basement of his home worthy of a museum. 

Last month, he brought history to life when he set next to Gibson at a Normandy cemetery for American soldiers who died fighting in WWII. The pair were able to visit France as part of an eight-day trip set up by the Best Defense Foundation that takes WWII veterans to the battlefields where they served. They are accompanied by young volunteers such as MacMillan. 

“I could just see myself in Bob,” said MacMillan. “I was just so happy that I was able to be a part of this experience for him.”

Read more about Adam MacMillan in The Philadelphia Inquirer.