Mission Margraten Plus Flying WWII Veterans to The Netherlands

If Roger Kilfoil, President of the nonprofit organization Mission Margraten Plus has his way, Long Island WWII veterans will fly to the Netherlands in September 2024 for the 80^th Anniversary of the Dutch Liberation plus Operation Market Garden. Kilfoil launched his nonprofit organization in 2019 and has made three trips to the Netherlands since its inception. The first trip brought WWII veterans to thank Dutch Grave Adoption families for honoring 10,000 fallen American soldiers at the U.S. military cemetery in Margraten. Later trips brought veterans to annual celebrations of the Dutch Liberation from Nazi Germany.

“Our WWII veterans are given a way to feel relevant again,” Kilfoil said. “Many are widowers and have little or no family or friends, can no longer attend VFWs to socialize with peers. Isolated and alone, some become depressed and no longer feel like the Greatest Generation heroes they once were,” he added. That’s why Kilfoil, VP of Honor Flight Long Island and a Marine veteran, decided to establish Mission Margraten Plus. During their recent trip in May of 2024, they were feted by politicians, military officers, WWII historians and the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands.

As a result of all their visits, Kilfoil and his veterans have been invited as guests of honor for the 80^th Anniversary Commemorations. During this trip, they will meet with the King and Queen of the Netherlands, who will personally honor our veterans. “Taking part in these events marking that historic anniversary, is truly a great honor for these veterans,” Kilfoil said.  The veterans making the journey were excited to learn they will be able to participate in the Netherland’s annual Liberation Day Celebrations from September 9-23, 2024.

There remains an urgent need to raise additional funds for travel expenses. This will likely be the last opportunity that these veterans will have to take part in these celebrations and to be honored by the Netherlands. This is an excellent opportunity to come together and make this journey a success. You may donate on their website, www.missionmargratenplus.org, or utilize their GoFundMe site, Fundraiser by Stephanie Folwell : Fund WWII Veterans’ Trip to The Netherlands (gofundme.com)

Angela Decker

Angela Decker, from McPherson, Kansas, discovered her passion for aviation after earning a Master’s in Military History from Norwich University in 2011. Since 2012, she has volunteered with vintage aviation groups, excelling as a social media content creator and coordinator. Angela has coordinated aviation and WWII events, appeared as Rosie the Riveter, and is restoring a Stearman aircraft. She is the Operations Logistics Coordinator at CAF Airbase Georgia and an accountant with a degree in Economics from the University of Georgia. Her son, Caden, shares her love for aviation and history and is studying Digital Media Arts.

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